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ARPC faculty affiliates hail from diverse fields and parts of campus, but all share an expertise in scholarship and/or teaching that centers that study of race, racism, racial justice, and/or decolonial practice. Affiliates participate in the Center's publishing projects, community partnerships, working groups, and other collaborations. Please browse our faculty by thematic area of work.
Mali Collins’ research areas include Black motherhood studies, Black archival studies, 20th and 21st century literature and art, medical humanities, digital technology, and reproductive health and jus…
Kyle Dargan is currently an Associate Professor of literature and Asst. Director of creative writing at American University, as well as the founder and editor of POST NO ILLS magazine. He also works a…
A multifaceted artist-scholar, Dr. Omilade Davis-Smith has worked the majority of her life as a dancer, educator and performer. Omi earned a PhD in Dance from Temple University with a specialization i…
Tim Doud’s paintings and drawings address two seemingly distinct bodies of work, one figurative and one abstract. These bodies of works serve as a backdrop to broader discussions around constructed id…
Nika Elder specializes in North American art from the colonial period to the present, including African-American art and the history of photography. Her current research and courses examine the mutual…
Academic Interests: Social Justice Pedagogy, Writing Center Theory and Practice, Writing Center Tutor EducationWhat began as volunteer work has blossomed into passion for Neisha-Anne. Outside of her g…
Keith D Leonard is the author of Fettered Genius: The African American Bardic Poet from Slavery to Civil Rights. His publications, presentations, and courses have revolved around his study of…
Professor Martínez focuses on the intersection of violence and body politics in Latin America. Her two main areas of research are: representation of historical violence recent cultural production; and…
Dolen Perkins-Valdez is the New York Times bestselling author of two novels: Wench and Balm. *USA Today* called Wench "deeply moving" and "beautifully written." *People* called it "a devastatingly bea…
Suzanne C. Persard (PhD, Emory University) is Assistant Professor of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies in the Department of Critical Race, Gender and Culture Studies at American University, Facult…
Sybil R. Williams has spent the past twelve years cultivating her craft as a playwright and dramaturg. Her work has been professionally produced by Chicago’s ETA Creative Arts Theatre; New York’s Nati…
Theresa Runstedtler is a scholar of African American history whose research examines Black popular culture, with a particular focus on the intersection of race, masculinity, labor, and sport. Her crit…
Sarah Trembath is an editor, writer, and educator. She has been teaching since 1998 and joined the AU faculty in 2014. Her written work has appeared in Radical Teacher, the Santa Fe Writer’s Project Q…
Ximena Varela is a distinguished researcher, educator, and consultant with over 25 years of experience in arts management curricular design, museum management, international cultural policy, managemen…
David J. Vázquez is Associate Professor of Critical Race, Gender, and Culture Studies and Director of the Latina/o/x Studies Program. He teaches courses on comparative Latina/o/x literature and cultur…
Dr. Quynh Vo is a Professorial Lecturer in the Department of Critical Race, Gender, and Culture Studies and a faculty affiliate of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University. Her…
Lily Wong is an Associate Professor in the departments of Literature (LIT) and Critical Race Gender & Culture Studies (CRGC) at American University. She also serves as an Associate Director of Faculty…
Horace A. Bartilow is Professor of International Political Economy and American Foreign Policy. He is a Jamaican born social scientist who received his Ph.D. in 1994 from the State University of New Y…
Marcelo Bohrt is a sociologist interested in racial politics and statecraft in the Americas. His primary area of research investigates the role of racial ideas and racial politics in the making and tr…
Eileen Findlay graduated from Oberlin College and the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where she held a Jacob Javits fellowship. Both her books, 'We Are Left Without a Father Here': Masculinity, Dome…
Anthony W. Fontes, geographer and ethnographer, writes and teaches about violence, migration and forced displacement, transnational illicit economies, mass incarceration, and the politics of security …
Sarah Iverson's work is motivated by novel and enduring questions in sociology: How do people create collective meaning in institutional settings? How do these meanings inform action? What role doe…
Dr. Janice Iwama is an Associate Professor in the Department of Justice, Law & Criminology at American University in Washington, D.C. She received her Ph.D. in Criminology and Justice Policy from Nort…
Christina Juhász-Wood is a Professorial Lecturer in the American Studies Program where she teaches courses on American culture and history, poverty, and critical refugee studies. Her work focuses on s…
Suzanne C. Persard (PhD, Emory University) is Assistant Professor of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies in the Department of Critical Race, Gender and Culture Studies at American University, Facult…
Randolph B. Persaud is Associate Professor of International Relations at American University in Washington D.C. He specializes in the areas of race and international relations, globalization, human se…
Tazreena Sajjad currently serves as Senior Professorial Lecturer in the Department of Peace, Human Rights and Cultural Relations (PHRCR) in the School of International Service (SIS) at American Univer…
Dr. Thurka Sangaramoorthy is a cultural and medical anthropologist and global health expert with over 25 years of experience in community-engaged ethnographic research across the United States, Africa…
Dr. Vidal-Ortiz's scholarship cuts across racialization, sexuality, gender, migration and religion; his work is interdisciplinary. He coedited two award winning books: …
Dr. Nina Yamanis studies how social and structural determinants are linked to health disparities globally and locally, and designs community-based interventions to reduce these disparities. She has wo…
Marcelo Bohrt is a sociologist interested in racial politics and statecraft in the Americas. His primary area of research investigates the role of racial ideas and racial politics in the making and tr…
As a social anthropologist working in the United States, my research examines the imbrication of grassroots resistance and state repression. Within this broad area of inquiry, my present work explores…
Mali Collins’ research areas include Black motherhood studies, Black archival studies, 20th and 21st century literature and art, medical humanities, digital technology, and reproductive health and jus…
A multifaceted artist-scholar, Dr. Omilade Davis-Smith has worked the majority of her life as a dancer, educator and performer. Omi earned a PhD in Dance from Temple University with a specialization i…
Dr. Omékongo Dibinga is the UPstander. His life’s mission is to inspire all across the globe to take a stand when they witness an injustice, no matter how small or large. He is a motivational speaker,…
Professor N. Jeremi Duru teaches several sports law courses as well as civil procedure, and he is among the nation’s foremost sports law authorities. He is a co-author of one of the field’s premier…
Nika Elder specializes in North American art from the colonial period to the present, including African-American art and the history of photography. Her current research and courses examine the mutual…
Lia Epperson is a Professor of Law at American University Washington College of Law and a nationally recognized expert in the areas of constitutional law, civil rights, and education policy. Publis…
Llezlie L. Green is a Professor of Law at American University Washington College of Law. She is currently the Director of the Civil Advocacy Clinic and teaches Critical Race Theory. She has also taugh…
I am a cultural anthropologist and critical geographer whose work focuses on eviction, race, displacement and the spatial and temporal dynamics of contemporary urban social movements I am broadly inte…
Suzanne C. Persard (PhD, Emory University) is Assistant Professor of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies in the Department of Critical Race, Gender and Culture Studies at American University, Facult…
Gautham Rao is a legal historian of early America and the United States. He completed his undergraduate and graduate work at the University of Chicago. He has been a postdoctoral fellow at the Library…
My research and teaching interests span social movements, political ecology, racial capitalism in South Asia and its diasporas. My book, The Ethics of Staying: Social Movements and Land Rights in Paki…
Dr. Elizabeth Rule (enrolled citizen of the Chickasaw Nation) is an Assistant Professor of Critical Race, Gender, and Culture Studies at American University in Washington, DC. Rule’s research on issue…
Theresa Runstedtler is a scholar of African American history whose research examines Black popular culture, with a particular focus on the intersection of race, masculinity, labor, and sport. Her crit…
Brenda V. Smith is professor of law at the American University Washington College of Law and Director of the Community Economic Development Law Clinic. From 2018-2020, Smith served as Senior Associ…
Dr. Vidal-Ortiz's scholarship cuts across racialization, sexuality, gender, migration and religion; his work is interdisciplinary. He coedited two award winning books: …
Tracy A. Weitz PhD, MPA (she/her), is a professor of sociology and Director for the Center on Health, Risk, and Society at American University in Washington, DC. Her current research addresses how ins…
Perry Zurn is Provost Associate Professor of Philosophy at American University. Zurn researches primarily in political philosophy, critical theory, and lgbtq+ studies and collaborates in psychology an…
After working in a crime lab, Dr. Burks returned to academia, teaching, and forensic science research. An analytical chemist, she enjoys the challenge developing detection methods for a wide-variety o…
As a social anthropologist working in the United States, my research examines the imbrication of grassroots resistance and state repression. Within this broad area of inquiry, my present work explores…
Dr. TaLisa J. Carter has dedicated her life to understanding the interactions of deviance, social organizations, colorism, and race/ethnicity. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Justic…
Mali Collins’ research areas include Black motherhood studies, Black archival studies, 20th and 21st century literature and art, medical humanities, digital technology, and reproductive health and jus…
Kyle Dargan is currently an Associate Professor of literature and Asst. Director of creative writing at American University, as well as the founder and editor of POST NO ILLS magazine. He also works a…
Angela J. Davis, Distinguished Professor of Law at American University Washington College of Law, is an expert in criminal law and procedure with a specific focus on prosecutorial power and racism …
Dr. Jane Palmer is an Associate Professor with a primary focus on community-based participatory research, help-seeking, community-based responses to harm, and ending gender-based violence.
Sh…
Brenda V. Smith is professor of law at the American University Washington College of Law and Director of the Community Economic Development Law Clinic. From 2018-2020, Smith served as Senior Associ…
Perry Zurn is Provost Associate Professor of Philosophy at American University. Zurn researches primarily in political philosophy, critical theory, and lgbtq+ studies and collaborates in psychology an…
After working in a crime lab, Dr. Burks returned to academia, teaching, and forensic science research. An analytical chemist, she enjoys the challenge developing detection methods for a wide-variety o…
A multifaceted artist-scholar, Dr. Omilade Davis-Smith has worked the majority of her life as a dancer, educator and performer. Omi earned a PhD in Dance from Temple University with a specialization i…
Amaarah DeCuir, EdD, is a faculty member at American University in the School of Education and an affiliate faculty member of its Antiracist Research and Policy Center. Her scholarship spans the areas…
Tim Doud’s paintings and drawings address two seemingly distinct bodies of work, one figurative and one abstract. These bodies of works serve as a backdrop to broader discussions around constructed id…
Academic Interests: Social Justice Pedagogy, Writing Center Theory and Practice, Writing Center Tutor EducationWhat began as volunteer work has blossomed into passion for Neisha-Anne. Outside of her g…
Dr. Lorenzo studies relationships between parenting and early childhood social-emotional and behavioral functioning. The goal of her research is to aid in the early identification of children at risk …
Dr. Taylor's research and teaching focus on the intersection of culture, power, and education in domestic and international contexts. She earned her doctorate of education and her master's in educatio…
Sarah Trembath is an editor, writer, and educator. She has been teaching since 1998 and joined the AU faculty in 2014. Her written work has appeared in Radical Teacher, the Santa Fe Writer’s Project Q…
Ximena Varela is a distinguished researcher, educator, and consultant with over 25 years of experience in arts management curricular design, museum management, international cultural policy, managemen…
After working in a crime lab, Dr. Burks returned to academia, teaching, and forensic science research. An analytical chemist, she enjoys the challenge developing detection methods for a wide-variety o…
Mali Collins’ research areas include Black motherhood studies, Black archival studies, 20th and 21st century literature and art, medical humanities, digital technology, and reproductive health and jus…
Garrett Graddy-Lovelace researches and teaches agricultural policy and agrarian geography. Her work focuses on domestic and international contexts and impacts of US food and farm policy--from critical…
Professor Grier is an interdisciplinary scholar with diverse expertise across private, government, and non-profit sectors. Her research examines marketplace topics related to race, with a focus on enh…
Sarah Iverson's work is motivated by novel and enduring questions in sociology: How do people create collective meaning in institutional settings? How do these meanings inform action? What role doe…
Nabina Liebow (she/her) is the College of Arts and Sciences Leadership and Ethical Development Program Director (CAS LEAD) and a Senior Professorial Lecturer in the Department of Philosophy and Religi…
Dr. Lorenzo studies relationships between parenting and early childhood social-emotional and behavioral functioning. The goal of her research is to aid in the early identification of children at risk …
Kimberly Luchtenberg’s research interests include real estate finance and household finance. Her research has been published in Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, Journal of Real Estate Res…
Jessica Young is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Studies at American University. Her work broadly focuses on health in economically distressed and under-resourced communities. Dr. Y…
Malini Ranganathan is Associate Professor in the School of International Service at American University, and a political ecologist and geographer by training. She is a faculty affiliate of three un…
Hi! I do a couple things at American University.In short -- I am a data scientist, and journalism professor. I study how to better hold institutions accountable by bringing science, medicine and techn…
Dr. Thurka Sangaramoorthy is a cultural and medical anthropologist and global health expert with over 25 years of experience in community-engaged ethnographic research across the United States, Africa…
David J. Vázquez is Associate Professor of Critical Race, Gender, and Culture Studies and Director of the Latina/o/x Studies Program. He teaches courses on comparative Latina/o/x literature and cultur…
Tracy A. Weitz PhD, MPA (she/her), is a professor of sociology and Director for the Center on Health, Risk, and Society at American University in Washington, DC. Her current research addresses how ins…
Dr. Nina Yamanis studies how social and structural determinants are linked to health disparities globally and locally, and designs community-based interventions to reduce these disparities. She has wo…
Garrett Graddy-Lovelace researches and teaches agricultural policy and agrarian geography. Her work focuses on domestic and international contexts and impacts of US food and farm policy--from critical…
Dr. Matlon is an urban sociologist and scholar of race and colonial legacies in Africa and the African diaspora. Her scholarship interrogates the ways “Blackness” operates as a signifier, intersects w…
Randolph B. Persaud is Associate Professor of International Relations at American University in Washington D.C. He specializes in the areas of race and international relations, globalization, human se…
Malini Ranganathan is Associate Professor in the School of International Service at American University, and a political ecologist and geographer by training. She is a faculty affiliate of three un…
My research and teaching interests span social movements, political ecology, racial capitalism in South Asia and its diasporas. My book, The Ethics of Staying: Social Movements and Land Rights in Paki…
Sybil R. Williams has spent the past twelve years cultivating her craft as a playwright and dramaturg. Her work has been professionally produced by Chicago’s ETA Creative Arts Theatre; New York’s Nati…
Theresa Runstedtler is a scholar of African American history whose research examines Black popular culture, with a particular focus on the intersection of race, masculinity, labor, and sport. Her crit…
Tazreena Sajjad currently serves as Senior Professorial Lecturer in the Department of Peace, Human Rights and Cultural Relations (PHRCR) in the School of International Service (SIS) at American Univer…
Dr. Thurka Sangaramoorthy is a cultural and medical anthropologist and global health expert with over 25 years of experience in community-engaged ethnographic research across the United States, Africa…
Lily Wong is an Associate Professor in the departments of Literature (LIT) and Critical Race Gender & Culture Studies (CRGC) at American University. She also serves as an Associate Director of Faculty…
Nika Elder specializes in North American art from the colonial period to the present, including African-American art and the history of photography. Her current research and courses examine the mutual…
Professor Grier is an interdisciplinary scholar with diverse expertise across private, government, and non-profit sectors. Her research examines marketplace topics related to race, with a focus on enh…
Kimberly Luchtenberg’s research interests include real estate finance and household finance. Her research has been published in Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, Journal of Real Estate Res…
I am an Associate Professor in the Communication Studies division at SOC. My research interests include digital culture, online communities, platform politics, game studies, pop culture, and gender an…
Dr. Matlon is an urban sociologist and scholar of race and colonial legacies in Africa and the African diaspora. Her scholarship interrogates the ways “Blackness” operates as a signifier, intersects w…
Theresa Runstedtler is a scholar of African American history whose research examines Black popular culture, with a particular focus on the intersection of race, masculinity, labor, and sport. Her crit…
Hi! I do a couple things at American University.In short -- I am a data scientist, and journalism professor. I study how to better hold institutions accountable by bringing science, medicine and techn…
Dr. Sherri Williams is a race and representation researcher who teaches about how media images are connected to and uphold oppression and inequality. Williams, who was a journalist for a decade before…