Carmela R. Dormani

Carmela R. Dormani is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Mercy University, based in office MaH 201. Her interdisciplinary research examines urban cultural politics, specializing in race, migration, Latinx studies, and performance ethnography. She directs the Community Cultural Recovery Project, investigating post-2020 revitalization of Latinx arts spaces amid COVID-19 and racial justice movements.

Research Focus: Dr. Dormani explores cultural production through dance, media, and community practices, with current projects including:

• A book manuscript on New York's salsa dance scene (8+ years ethnographic work)
• Theoretical frameworks for U.S. sociology of dance
• Impact of Black Lives Matter on performing arts in multicultural urban centers

Teaching Philosophy: Emphasizes critical analysis of societal structures through courses including:

• Race, Culture, and Ethnicity
• Research Methodology
• Introduction to Sociology

Her pedagogy centers student voice development and collaborative learning environments.

Publication Themes: Her scholarly work analyzes dance as cultural practice—examining commodification in salsa communities and mediated performances of Latinidad—with recurring focus on identity negotiation and systemic power dynamics.