Steve Farmer's research and teaching interests are focused on 19th century British literature, particularly Victorian fiction. He has taught a variety of survey courses, both British and American literature, as well as courses in literary and cultural theory.

Farmer has edited Broadview Press scholarly editions of two Wilkie Collins novels: his masterpiece of early detective fiction, "The Moonstone" (1868), and his late-century anti-vivisectionist tale, "Heart and Science" (1886). In addition to his work with Collins, he is interested in fin de siècle “New Woman” fiction and has edited a Broadview Press scholarly edition of Ella Hepworth Dixon’s novel "The Story of a Modern Woman" (1894).