Mathew Kuefler

Mathew Kuefler is a Professor in the Department of History within the College of Arts and Letters at San Diego State University. He holds a Ph.D. in History from Yale University and specializes in Medieval European history, with a focus on gender, sexuality, and Christianity. His research bridges historical methods with LGBTQIA+ studies and religious history.

• Ph.D. in History, Yale University (1995)
• M.Phil. in History, Yale University (1993)
• M.A. in Medieval Studies, Yale University (1992)
• M.A. in History, University of Alberta (1987)
• B.-ès-A., University of Alberta (1982)

His research interests center on gender and sexuality in the medieval world, particularly LGBTQIA+ history, the history of childhood and family, and Christian ideologies of masculinity and celibacy. He explores how gender identities and sexual norms were constructed in Late Antiquity and the Central Middle Ages, often through hagiographic and legal texts. His work critically examines the intersections of religion, power, and embodiment.

The most recent articles show a sustained engagement with themes such as homoeroticism, sainthood, sexual renunciation, and the construction of religious memory. His publications span journals in religious history, gender studies, and medieval research, reflecting an interdisciplinary approach. He frequently contributes to edited volumes on sexuality and global history, demonstrating leadership in expanding historical narratives to include marginalized identities.

• Margaret Wade Labarge Award by the Canadian Society of Medievalists

Kuefler is an active mentor and educator, teaching courses such as History of Sexuality, Medieval Europe, and Public History. He has supervised numerous student projects and is known for his detailed writing guides that support academic integrity and historical methodology. He is currently working on the devotion to Saint Eulalia and the phenomenon of same-sex paired saints in the Middle Ages, indicating ongoing scholarly innovation.

He is affiliated with the Department of History at San Diego State University and contributes to major editorial projects, including co-editing the Cambridge World History of Sexualities. His work is foundational in integrating queer perspectives into medieval and global historical scholarship.