Meshell L. Sturgis

Meshell L. Sturgis serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication & Journalism at the University of New Mexico, specializing in critical cultural media studies and community-engaged research through Black feminist and Queer theoretical frameworks.

Her academic credentials include:

• B.A. in English from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2013)
• M.A. in Cultural Studies from University of Washington, Bothell
• Ph.D. in Communication from University of Washington, Seattle (2024)

Sturgis's research interrogates political aesthetics of Black Girl Magic and self-representation in alternative media, with particular focus on race, gender, and sexuality beyond binary constructions. Her methodological approach combines research creation with critical arts practices to amplify marginalized narratives and challenge systemic inequities in media representation.

Her publication portfolio demonstrates consistent engagement with intersectional justice across disciplines, featuring analyses of microaggressions, mixed-race identity, disability studies, and fat politics. These works collectively advance critical race theory through innovative examinations of somatechnologies, visual culture, and community storytelling.

Her distinguished recognition includes:

• Luce/ACLS Dissertation Fellowships in American Art (2025)

Sturgis actively mentors students through courses on race, gender, and sexuality in media while maintaining a parallel critical arts practice. Her scholarship appears in prestigious venues including Journal for Women's Studies in Communication, QED, Somatechnics, Lateral, and Souls, complemented by arts writing in Art Practical, A Year in Black Art, and New Archives.

While specific laboratory affiliations aren't documented, her community-engaged methodology suggests collaborative partnerships with cultural organizations and activist networks focused on racial and gender justice.