Mark Anthony Neal

Mark Anthony Neal is the James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of African American Studies and Professor of English and Gender, Sexuality and Feminist Studies at Duke University. His work focuses on Black cultural production, music history, and masculinity studies. Neal’s research bridges scholarship with public engagement, emphasizing the intersection of race, gender, and culture in American society.

Education: While specific degrees are not detailed in the text, his academic roles imply advanced degrees in African American Studies and related fields.

Research Interests: Neal’s work spans Black musicology (focusing on soul, R&B, and hip-hop), cultural archiving, Black masculinity, and the legacy of Black public intellectuals. His book Black Ephemera: The Crisis and Challenge of the Musical Archive (2022) critiques cultural preservation practices, while Looking for Leroy: Illegible Black Masculinities (2013) explores marginalized Black male identities.

Publications: Over 30 scholarly articles and books, including works on Stax Records, hip-hop authenticity, and Black feminist music traditions. Recent publications emphasize archival crises and digital memorialization of Black lives.

Awards: None explicitly listed in the text, though his academic stature suggests recognition within his field.

Labs/Teams: Engages with Duke’s African American Studies department and interdisciplinary initiatives in cultural studies.