(she/her/hers)
Elizabeth Francis leads the Humanities Council’s promotion of public history, cultural heritage, civic education, and community engagement. Elizabeth has expertise in building partnerships and initiatives that bring together humanities scholars, community members, public humanities practitioners, and policymakers in economic and cultural development. Deeply interested in the connection between public participation in cultural activities and overall civic health in communities, Elizabeth recently co-authored Culture is Key: Strengthening Rhode Island’s Civic Health Through Cultural Participation (2022). Elizabeth earned a PhD in American Studies at Brown University and a BA at Hampshire College. She worked at Brown for over 10 years in Corporate and Foundation Relations. She has taught at and currently serves on advisory councils at several universities and is a member of three nonprofit boards in Rhode Island. Elizabeth is serving as Secretary of the State Commission for the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
