Ella Howard, Associate Professor of History, School of Sciences and Humanities
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Headshot of Professor Ella Howard
I’m proud to be part of the LGBTQIA+ community because we have persevered and brought about great change during my lifetime, without losing our commitment to social justice or our sense of humor.

What courses do you teach?

I teach Boston History, Modern American History, Computer Science & Society.

Briefly share what led you to the work you do now.

I have always been interested in the relationship between everyday people and their environment. I began my career studying the history of design and the decorative arts, then moved into the study of the built environment. My research focuses on the ways in which cities are divided along lines of socioeconomic class and race. I am currently studying the ways in which historic preservation districts have functioned as a type of exclusionary zoning in some cities, and looking at examples of more inclusive approaches that can serve as models.

Describe one thing that you are working on or is happening in your area that you are excited about.

I'm thrilled that we are launching Wentworth's newest undergraduate major in Fall 2021, Computer Science + Society! In this major, students will apply the tools of Computer Science, the Humanities, and the Social Sciences to the problems of the world. We have a great cohort joining us and I'm so excited to work with them!

What is one interesting fact about you?

My partner Susan and I just celebrated our 26th anniversary; she works at Northeastern.

Share a quote that guides what you do personally or professionally. 

"Your silence will not protect you." - Audre Lorde.

What's one piece of advice do you have for LGBTQIA+ students at Wentworth?

Build the life you want for yourself. Not everyone will understand - they haven't caught up to you yet.

List any publications, awards, or achievements you received.

  • “Solving homelessness requires getting the problem right,” Washington Post, May 10, 2021.
  • Studying Urban Renewal Through Archival Sources,” in Teaching Undergraduates with Archives, eds. Nancy Bartlett, Elizabeth Gadelha and Cinda Nofziger. (Ann Arbor, Michigan: Maize Books, 2019), 71-93.
  • “The "Problem’ of Homelessness,” review essay for the Journal of Urban History (September 2019).
  • “From DH to CS+X: Challenges of Institution-Specific Curriculum Development,” for Interdisciplinary Digital Engagement in Arts & Humanities (Forthcoming 2021).
  • “From the Margins: Poverty and Homelessness,” for Alternative Planning History, edited by Dorina Pojani (Routledge) (Forthcoming 2021).
  • “Slavery Markers in the Big Easy: Historic Interventions in the Tourist Landscape of New Orleans,” in Public Memory, Race and Heritage Tourism of Early America, eds. Cathy Rex and Shevaun Watson. Routledge/Taylor & Francis (Forthcoming 2021).
  • Internal Grants Bistline Grant with Professors Jody Gordon and Charlie Pham, “Computer Science + Society: Developing Integrated Interdisciplinary Courses,” 2021.
  • EPIC Grant with Professor Charlie Pham, “Milton Curatescape: Local History in the Digital Age,” 2020.