Looi van Kessel

Looi van Kessel serves as Assistant Professor in Literary Studies and Gender Studies at Leiden University, affiliated with the Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS) and the Department of Film and Literary Studies. He coordinates the minor program 'Gender and Sexuality in Society and Culture' and chairs both the Curriculum Committee and the Leiden University LGBT+ Network, where he advocates for equal treatment of LGBTQIA+ staff and students.

Van Kessel completed his PhD in 2019 with a dissertation examining melodrama and sexual identity in the works of American author James Purdy. His academic trajectory demonstrates a commitment to exploring literature's role in shaping and challenging societal understandings of gender and sexuality across different historical periods.

His research spans three interconnected domains: LGBTQIA+ literary analysis focusing on authors James Purdy and Louis Couperus; AIDS epidemic literature examining how writing from this period functions as pedagogy for future generations; and contemporary drag culture analysis, particularly in response to rising anti-drag sentiment across Europe. His work consistently explores how literature creates space for alternative sexual identities and challenges rigid categorizations of gender and sexuality.

As an educator committed to inclusive practices, Van Kessel researches democratizing pedagogies that recognize diverse student backgrounds and learning needs. He co-leads a project assessing the Film and Literary Studies curriculum at Leiden University to develop more inclusive teaching approaches that address not just course materials but also workload, teaching methods, and assessment formats.

Van Kessel holds significant editorial positions as co-chief editor for Tijdschrift voor Genderstudies (Dutch Journal for Gender Studies) and editorial board member for Arabesken, the journal of the Louis Couperus Society. His public engagement includes regular contributions to media discussions on LGBTQIA+ issues, addressing topics from substance abuse in queer communities to the political challenges facing drag performers. His recent work demonstrates how academic research can directly inform contemporary social debates and policy discussions regarding LGBTQIA+ rights and representation.