Thomas Dominic

Thomas Dominic is the Madeleine L. Lettessier Professor of French and Francophone Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), a position he has held since 2013. Previously, he served as Professor of French and Comparative Literature at UCLA (2000–2013) and held visiting roles at institutions like Humboldt University (Berlin) and the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (Paris). He specializes in Francophone African literature, postcolonial studies, migration, and museum studies.

His academic journey includes a PhD from Yale University (1996) and notable fellowships such as the Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship at Cornell University (1999–2000). He has been honored with the Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques (2007) and election to the Academy of Europe (2015). His research explores intersections of colonial legacy, identity politics, and cultural diplomacy.

Research Focus: Postcolonial Francophone literatures, African theater, migration narratives, and the role of museums in cultural memory. Key themes include transnationalism, racial identity, and the socio-political dimensions of cultural production.

Awards & Recognition:

• 2015: Elected to Academy of Europe (Literary & Theatrical Studies)
• 2007: Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques
• 2011: German-American Fulbright Commission Award

Leadership: Served as Editor-in-Chief of the “Global African Voices” book series and editorial roles for journals including French Cultural Studies. His work bridges literary analysis with socio-political critique, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to postcolonial studies.