William A. Calvo-QuirósView profile
Assistant Professor
William A. Calvo-Quirós is an Assistant Professor of American Culture and Latinx Studies at the University of Michigan. His work centers on the intersection of state violence, religiosity, and migration, particularly along the U.S.-Mexico border. He explores how vernacular religious practices (e.g., devotion to saints like Jesús Malverde and La Santa Muerte) serve as tools of resistance and identity formation for migrants. Key research interests include transnational religious migration, gender violence, LGBTQ+ spirituality, and the sociopolitical dimensions of border regions. His award-winning book Undocumented Saints: The Politics of Migrating Devotions investigates how Latinx communities reimagine faith in spaces like detention centers and digital platforms. Calvo-Quirós utilizes ethnographic methods and interdisciplinary approaches, engaging with legal documents, oral histories, and cultural artifacts. His recent work extends to themes of hope, decolonial theory, and queer migration pathways. Recipient of the 2023 American Academy of Religion Best First Book Award 2023 Frank S. and Elizabeth D. Brewer Prize (American Society of Church History) Research focuses on marginalized communities' spiritual practices as acts of survival










