Joseph Darda

Joseph Darda is an Associate Professor of English at Michigan State University specializing in American cultural history, sports, and racial formation. His scholarship examines intersections of race, embodiment, and institutional power structures.

Research encompasses four major books including 'Gift and Grit: Race, Sports, and the Construction of Social Debt' (2025) and 'The Strange Career of Racial Liberalism' (2022). His work analyzes how cultural domains like sports shape racial narratives and societal inequalities.

Darda coordinates the Literary Studies Now speaker series at MSU and will launch Critical University Studies Now in 2025. Editorial contributions include coediting 'The Body Issue: Sports and the Politics of Embodiment' for American Quarterly (2023) and serving on the journal's managing board.

Recognition includes CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title designation for 'How White Men Won the Culture Wars' (2021) and residential fellowships at UConn and UC Irvine.