Violet Livingston

Violet Livingston is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Cultures at Michigan State University (MSU), within the College of Arts and Letters. She holds affiliations with the Residential College in Arts and Humanities (RCAH), Integrative Studies in Arts and Humanities (IAH), and the Citizen Scholars Program. Her work bridges creative storytelling, circus performance, and academic scholarship.

Education:

• PhD in Writing and Rhetoric, MSU (2015)
• MA in Critical Studies in Literacy and Pedagogy, MSU (2011)
• BA in Women and Gender Studies, Oakland University (2005)

Research focuses on queer rhetorics, consent education, and circus culture. Her dissertation The Queer Art and Rhetoric of Consent won a major award in queer scholarship. Current projects explore community-based writing and theatrical circus performance as tools for social engagement.

Awards:

• 2016 Lavender Rhetorics Award (CCC)

Professional involvement includes founding the Queer Theory Playground (QTP), and membership in the Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCC) and Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP).