Mary Bowden specializes in British literature of the long nineteenth century, focusing particularly on environmental topics. Her current book project, "Plant Plots: Plant Science and British Narrative, 1800-1910" explores how nineteenth-century advances in plant science influenced how literary authors positioned plants in narrative fiction. Her work brings together current discussions in critical plant studies, science and literature, the environmental humanities, and narrative theory.

Professor Bowden's teaching interests include nineteenth-century literature, science and literature, environmental topics, nature writing, and travel literature.