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Lillie Padilla is an Assistant Professor of Spanish Linguistics at Sam Houston State University's Department of World Languages and Cultures. Holding a Ph.D. and M.A. in Spanish Linguistics from Arizona State University alongside a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ghana, her research explores interdisciplinary connections between: Afro-Latinx representation in educational materials Discourse analysis and language ideologies Sociolinguistic studies in Equatorial Guinea Critical race theory applications in language teaching Her work focuses on Spanish subject pronoun expression patterns in multilingual contexts and curriculum development for inclusive pedagogy. Recent publications examine: Representation gaps in Spanish language textbooks Methodological challenges in Equatorial Guinea research Critical discourse analysis of Netflix's Elite series Intersectional representation of Afro-Latinx women Scientific achievements include: Finalist for American Association of Linguistics 2025 award for co-edited volume Representation, Inclusion and Social Justice in World Language Teaching Padilla's research continues to shape conversations about linguistic diversity and marginalized voices in language education through both empirical studies and theoretical frameworks.

• Afro-Latinx Representation
• Discourse Analysis
• Language Ideologies
• +4 more

Mary Bucholtz is a Professor in the Department of Linguistics at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). She holds affiliations with multiple departments including Anthropology, Feminist Studies, Spanish and Portuguese, the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education, Comparative Literature, and Latin American and Iberian Studies. Her research integrates sociocultural linguistics with anthropological, gender, and social justice frameworks. Education: PhD in Linguistics, University of California, Berkeley (1997) Bucholtz's work examines how language shapes and is shaped by social identities, particularly among youth, through dimensions like race, gender, and cultural practices. She emphasizes community-centered research , linguistic activism , and interdisciplinary methodologies to address systemic inequalities. Recent publications explore affective agency in Latinx youth, educational equity, and antiracist linguistics. Her collaborative projects often involve partnerships with educational institutions and youth communities in California, focusing on translanguaging , Black language justice , and raciolinguistic ideologies . Grants from the National Science Foundation, Spencer Foundation, and Wenner-Gren Foundation support her research. She co-edited the open-access volumes Decolonizing Linguistics and Inclusion in Linguistics (Oxford University Press, 2024), alongside authoring White Kids: Language, Race, and Styles of Youth Identity (Cambridge, 2011) and Talking College: Making Space for Black Language Practices in Higher Education (Teachers College Press, 2022).

• Sociocultural Linguistics
• Language and Identity
• Language and Race
• +10 more

Jennifer Jones is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Northwestern University in the Department of Sociology. Her research focuses on racial formation, immigration, political sociology, and Afro-Latinx communities. Jones explores how race is socially constructed through migration, multiracial identity dynamics, and intergroup solidarity. She is the author of The Browning of the New South (2019), analyzing race relations in the U.S. South post-Mexican immigration. Her work has been funded by the National Science Foundation, Russell Sage Foundation, and the Institute for Citizens and Scholars. Education: BA from Pomona College; PhD from UC Berkeley. Prior positions include faculty roles at University of Notre Dame and University of Illinois Chicago, alongside a postdoctoral fellowship at Ohio State University. Courses taught include Sociology of Immigration and Immigration and Society . Her research on immigrant-serving institutions in the South examines how racial ideologies shape institutional practices. She collaborates with scholars like Hana Brown on projects linking social movements to racial dynamics. Jones’ articles appear in top journals like American Journal of Sociology and Ethnic and Racial Studies . Her grants include NSF and Russell Sage Foundation awards. While no specific labs are named, her work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration. Professional activities include advising graduate students and mentoring junior scholars.

• Racial formation
• Racial and ethnic relations
• Immigration
• +3 more

José Angel Araguz is an Assistant Professor of English at Suffolk University, specializing in creative writing and literary studies. His research focuses on Latinx poetics, poetic forms, and experimental literary genres. He holds a PhD from the University of Cincinnati, an MFA from New York University, and a BA from the College of Santa Fe. Dr. Araguz is deeply involved in literary publishing, serving as Editor-in-Chief of Salamander , a member of The Cincinnati Review’s Strategic Board, and an advisory board member for SWING literary journal. He also leads editorial roles at Airlie Press and Right Hand Pointing. His creative work spans poetry, nonfiction, and hybrid genres, with a focus on Latino/a identity, speculative elements, and formal innovation. Major publications include Ruin and Want (2023), La esperanza espera (2023), and Rotura (2022). His research explores blackout poetry, microcuentos, and the intersection of creative writing with cultural critique. He teaches courses like Latinx Literature, Creative Writing, and Poetry Workshops. Office hours are Fridays 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. or by Zoom appointment.

• Latinx Poetics & Literature
• Poetic Forms
• Blackout/Erasure Poetry
• +4 more

Inés Valdez is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at Johns Hopkins University's Krieger School of Arts & Sciences. Her research bridges critical race and feminist theory with analyses of migration, transnationalism, empire, and racial capitalism. She has held fellowships from the Humboldt Stiftung, Global Arts & Humanities Society of Fellows, and the Princeton University Center for Human Values. Her 2023 book Democracy and Empire rethinks popular sovereignty through the Black radical tradition, winning the T.V. Paul Best Book Award. Earlier work includes Transnational Cosmopolitanism (2019), which redefines cosmopolitanism through global structures of domination. Her scholarship critiques empire's entanglement with democratic systems, emphasizing ecological responsibility and transnational solidarity. Recent publications explore anti-imperial sovereignty, Du Bois's ecological critiques, and Latinx political thought. She has contributed to journals like Contemporary Political Theory and Review of Politics , and her blog post Undoing Empire's Hold on Democracy (2024) addresses contemporary political crises. Valdez co-authored influential articles on migration politics and Kantian philosophy's racial dimensions. Her work integrates political theory with anticolonial praxis, advocating for transformative frameworks that challenge global hierarchies. She advises on transnational solidarity strategies and serves as a leading voice in decolonial and critical race studies.

• Political Theory
• Critical Race Theory
• Feminist Theory
• +5 more

Kent A. Ono is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Utah, where he has held faculty appointments since 2012. Previously, he served as Department Chair (2012-2017) and has held leadership positions including Director of Asian American Studies at UIUC (2002-2007) and Director of Cultural Studies at UC Davis (1999-2002). He earned his PhD in Rhetorical Studies from the University of Iowa (1992), MA from Miami University (1988), and BA from DePauw University (1987). Professor Ono's research examines critical media analysis through frameworks of race, gender, sexuality, and nation. His work spans rhetorical theory, intercultural communication, and cultural studies, with emphasis on: Representations of Asian Americans in media Immigration discourse and border rhetoric Postcolonial media criticism Critical race methodologies Transnational cultural flows His recent publications demonstrate sustained focus on immigration rhetoric, racial representation in media, and critical intercultural communication. Thematic analysis reveals consistent engagement with power structures, identity negotiation, and resistance narratives across 30+ years of scholarship, with emerging work on K-pop globalization and digital culture. Awards & Honors: Presidential Citation, National Communication Association (2024) Fellow, International Communication Association (2021) Douglas W. Ehninger Distinguished Rhetorical Scholar (2018) Distinguished Scholar Awards from NCA (2015, 2022), WSCA (2020) Teachers on Teaching Award, NCA (2015) He has held editorial leadership positions including Editor of Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies and co-editor of NYU Press's Critical Cultural Communication series. As NCA President (2020), he advanced equity initiatives and disciplinary transformation. Ono founded the Asian American Cultural Politics Research Cluster at UC Davis and secured grants including 'Portraits of Courage: Photographs by Shane Sato' (2019). He teaches graduate seminars in Rhetorical Studies and International Communication.

• Communication and Media Studies
• Cultural Studies
• Critical Race Theory
• +5 more

Jonathan D. Gomez is an Assistant Professor and Undergraduate Studies Advisor in the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies at San José State University (SJSU). He also serves as Faculty Director and Co-Facilitator of the SJSU Culture Counts Reading Series. Dr. Gomez holds a 2021-2022 Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship from UC Santa Cruz’s Department of Latin American and Latino Studies. Education: PhD in Sociology with an Emphasis in Black Studies (UC Santa Barbara, 2018); BA in Sociology with Honors (UC Santa Cruz, 2008); Transfer Student in Sociology (East Los Angeles College, 2005). His research centers Chicanx and Latinx spatial practices in postindustrial Los Angeles, exploring how marginalized communities reclaim urban spaces through cultural resistance. Key themes include critical pedagogy, decolonial theory, and the intersection of race, space, and cultural expression. His work bridges sociology, cultural studies, and urban theory, with notable contributions to understanding punk subcultures and Black radical traditions. His publications reflect a trajectory from early analyses of East LA punk scenes (2012) to contemporary explorations of transformative education and spatial justice. Recent works emphasize collective pedagogical frameworks rooted in decolonial praxis. Awards: Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship (2021-22) As an educator, Gomez designs courses on race, creative expression, and cultural studies. He actively engages in community-based scholarship through the Culture Counts series, fostering dialogues on race and culture. His advising and mentorship are central to his role, though specific grant details are not disclosed in the provided materials. Current initiatives include directing the Culture Counts Readings Series, which amplifies marginalized voices in cultural discourse.

• Chicanx Studies
• Urban Sociology
• Cultural Studies
• +3 more

Lucia Binotti is a Professor of Spanish and Digital Humanities at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH), with dual affiliations in the Department of Romance Studies and interdisciplinary Digital Humanities initiatives. She serves as Graduate Advisor for Hispanic Linguistics and Director of the Honors Study Abroad Program in Rome. Her work bridges traditional philology with cutting-edge digital scholarship, emphasizing immersive learning experiences through virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies. Binotti holds a Ph.D. from UC Santa Barbara (1990), an MA (1985), and a BA (1984) in Romance Philology from the Università degli Studi di Pisa. Her research focuses on linguistic identity, cultural heritage preservation, and innovative educational platforms like Amirabilia—the world’s first experiential learning platform. Notable projects include nXimena (healthcare training for Latinx abuse survivors) and Entiendelo (a linguistic/cultural navigation app for Latinx communities). Her scholarly interests span Early Modern Spanish literature, digital humanities applications, and the intersection of technology with social justice. She has directed grants totaling over $500K for projects involving AR/VR integration in education, including collaborations with the UNC Health Science Library and NCSU’s DELTA initiative. Recent awards include the John K. Walsh Award (2010) and Digital Innovation Fellow status (2014). Grants & Leadership: CFE-Lenovo Technology Grants (2018–2019) for AR/VR expansion iLRN 2020 International Co-Chair XR Faculty Learning Community Leader (UNC) Teaching: Courses span from introductory Hispanic literature to advanced topics like medieval intellectual history and digital humanities methodologies. Binotti’s work emphasizes ‘place, presence, and perspective’ in Cyber-Humanities education, particularly addressing marginalized communities through technology-driven solutions.

• Digital Humanities
• Immersive Learning
• Hispanic Sociolinguistics
• +4 more

Dr. Damian Vergara Bracamontes is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Gender and Women's Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His work bridges Latinx Studies, Critical Prison Studies, and Queer/Trans of Color Critique, focusing on migration, gendered violence, and resistance frameworks. Education: Ph.D. in American Studies, Yale University (2020) WGSS Certificate, Yale University (2017) M.A. in American Studies, Yale University (2017) B.A. in Ethnic Studies (Magna Cum Laude), University of California San Diego (2013) A.A. in Social and Behavioral Sciences, San Diego City College (2010) Vergara Bracamontes' research interrogates the intersections of Latinx migration, carceral systems, and queer/trans identities in the 20th-21st centuries. His publications and workshops address: Critical responses to immigration enforcement Queer kinship as resistance Decolonizing trans studies Community-based defense strategies Chicano movement historiography Scientific Awards: 2019 Public Scholar Award (Yale University) for societal impact of academic research As an educator, he has been recognized on the Teachers Ranked Excellent list since 2021, teaching courses on intersectional power structures, policing, and queer theories.

• Latinx Studies
• Critical Prison Studies
• Queer and Trans of Color Critique
• +3 more

Mizuko (Mimi) Ito is a cultural anthropologist and learning scientist at the University of California, Irvine, serving as Director of the Connected Learning Lab and holder of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Chair in Digital Media and Learning. She previously held research appointments at Keio University and the University of Southern California. Ito earned dual PhDs in Education and Anthropology from Stanford University and a BA in East Asian Studies from Harvard University. Education: PhD in Education, Stanford University PhD in Anthropology, Stanford University Bachelor's Degree in East Asian Studies, Harvard University Research Interests: Ito's work focuses on leveraging youth interests and digital media to foster equitable, socially connected learning. Her research spans mobile media culture in Japan, youth social media engagement in the US, and global adoption of children's media. She developed the connected learning framework, emphasizing youth-centered, equity-oriented approaches to education in the digital age. Grants & Partnerships: Ito has secured funding from major organizations including the MacArthur Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, National Science Foundation, and Microsoft Research. She co-founded the Connected Learning Alliance to advance research and impact in technology and learning. Awards: Recipient of the Jan Hawkins Award for Early Career Contributions (AERA) Labs & Initiatives: Directs the Connected Learning Lab at UC Irvine, which explores opportunities and risks of digital media in education. The Lab collaborates with global networks to design inclusive learning ecosystems.

• Digital Media and Learning
• Cultural Anthropology
• Learning Sciences
• +3 more

Juan Eduardo Wolf is an Associate Professor of Ethnomusicology at the University of Oregon's School of Music and Dance. He holds a PhD in Folklore and Ethnomusicology from Indiana University (2013), alongside degrees in Chemical Engineering and Art Studio from prestigious institutions. His research focuses on music-dance traditions of Afro-descendant and Indigenous communities in Latin America and the Caribbean, exploring decolonial methodologies and cultural equity. He directs the Latin American Studies Program and coordinates the World Music Series, which hosts global music performances. His awards include grants from UO's Center for Latin American and Latinx Studies (2018) and Global Oregon (2018). Wolf teaches courses like Decolonizing Music, Music in World Cultures, and directs World Music Ensembles focusing on Andean and Puerto Rican traditions. His research examines how marginalized groups use music-dance to resist colonial legacies, with fieldwork in Chile, Puerto Rico, and Bolivia. He is a core faculty member in Folklore and Public Culture Programs and advises on Latinx Studies initiatives. Notable publications include Styling Blackness in Chile (2019), analyzing Afro-Chilean music-dance, and Un Tumbe Ch’ixi (2021), integrating Afro-descendant ideas into Andean methodologies. His work challenges colonial frameworks and advocates for socially just music science practices. He performs as a percussionist/guitarist in global ensembles and mentors students through experiential learning.

• Ethnomusicology
• Latin American Studies
• Decolonial Thought
• +7 more

Dr. Michele Shaul serves as Professor of Spanish and Chair of the World Languages Department at Queens University of Charlotte, where she also directs the Center for Latino Studies. A dedicated scholar and educator, she co-founded the e-journal Label Me Latina/o and leads community-focused initiatives bridging academia and social outreach. Her academic credentials include: Ph.D. in Spanish-American Literature from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill M.A. in Spanish from the University of Florida, Gainesville B.A. with honors in Spanish from the University of Florida, Gainesville Dr. Shaul's research interrogates Latinx identity through literary criticism, translation, and creative writing, emphasizing intersectional experiences of race, gender, and disability within U.S. institutions. Her work actively challenges monolithic narratives while centering marginalized voices in both scholarly and artistic contexts. Analysis of her recent publications (2016-2023) reveals a cohesive trajectory exploring bilingual expression, cultural memory, and systemic inequity. Edited volumes on Latinx literature in Spanish and theater demonstrate scholarly rigor, while creative works like poetry and short stories employ personal narrative to examine reincarnation, hybrid identity, and border-crossing experiences. Her contributions have earned significant recognition: Queens’ 2016 Hunter-Hamilton Love of Teaching Award for pedagogical excellence 2023 Con A de Arte Award from the Latin American Coalition for cultural leadership Through the student/faculty Latino Studies Project, Dr. Shaul mentors researchers documenting Charlotte's Latino community history while collaborating with artists on tolerance-focused initiatives. Her editorial work with international scholars demonstrates sustained commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices across academic and creative domains. Dr. Shaul co-leads the e-journal Label Me Latina/o and directs the Latino Studies Project, fostering collaborative research between students, faculty, and Charlotte's Latino community. Her social outreach partnerships integrate art installations and performance to address diversity through experiential learning and public engagement.

• Latinx Literature
• Spanish-American Literature
• Translation Studies
• +3 more

José A. de la Garza Valenzuela is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Latina/Latino Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research focuses on queer migrant narratives, critical legal studies, and Latinx literature. He holds a PhD in English from Miami University and previously served as a Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Associate at UIUC and Assistant Professor at Florida Atlantic University. Education: PhD in English, Miami University (with concentration in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies) MA in English, Sam Houston State University BBA in International Business and Economics, Sam Houston State University His interdisciplinary work bridges literary analysis with legal frameworks, examining how queer Chicano writers challenge state narratives of citizenship and migration. Key projects include his forthcoming monograph *Queer in a Legal Sense: Brown Citizenship and Other Lawful Fictions* and peer-reviewed articles in Latino Studies , MLA , and American Literary History . Awards & Affiliations: American Council of Learned Societies Fellow (2023) Affiliate: Unit for Criticism and Interpretive Theory, Department of Gender & Women Studies, and Department of English His teaching spans courses on Latinx literature, queer studies, and U.S. social movements. His personal background as a first-generation college graduate and former undocumented migrant deeply informs his scholarship and pedagogy.

• Latinx Literary Studies
• Chicanx Studies
• Queer Chicano Literature
• +4 more

James A. McCann is a Professor of Political Science at Purdue University, serving as Co-Director of The Methodology Center at Purdue (MCAP) and affiliated with the Latin American and Latino Studies program. He holds a Ph.D. (200?), M.A. (200?), and B.A. (1980s) from the University of Colorado, Boulder and Illinois State University. His research focuses on public opinion, elections, political methodology, and immigrant incorporation, with a regional emphasis on Latin America and transnational politics. McCann has been recognized with awards such as the Faculty Mentor Champion Award (2017) and Pi Sigma Alpha Professor of the Year (2016-2017). His work explores how political campaigns and institutions shape civic engagement, particularly among marginalized groups. Notable contributions include studies on Latino immigrant participation post-2016 U.S. elections, transnational voting patterns among Colombians and Mexicans, and the impact of partisanship on immigrant communities. He has also conducted research on presidential campaign strategies, media effects in emerging democracies, and the dynamics of political corruption perceptions in the U.S. McCann's methodological expertise is reflected in his work on survey design and experimental research. His affiliations and roles reflect a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, bridging political science, methodology, and policy studies. McCann has held visiting positions at the Russell Sage Foundation and Brookings Institution, demonstrating his influence in both academic and policy spheres.

• Public Opinion
• Elections
• American Politics
• +9 more

Wendy Laura Belcher is a Professor of African literature at Princeton University, holding a joint appointment in the Department of African American Studies and the Department of Comparative Literature. She specializes in early African literature, medieval studies, and postcolonial thought, with a focus on Ethiopian and Ghanaian intellectual traditions. Her work bridges global literary history and decolonial critique, emphasizing Africa’s role in shaping global cultural narratives. Belcher earned her PhD in English Literature from UCLA, alongside MA degrees in African Studies and Urban Planning, and a BA in English Literature from Mount Holyoke College. Her research includes groundbreaking translations of Ethiopian texts, such as The Life and Struggles of Our Mother Walatta Petros , and projects like the Princeton Ethiopian Miracles of Mary (PEMM) digital humanities initiative, supported by NEH grants. Her research interests span African literature’s global influence, early African philosophical texts, and the Kebra Nagast ’s impact on modern movements like Rastafarianism. She co-leads the Black Queen of Sheba project, exploring medieval African ideas in global culture. Belcher is also renowned for her best-selling guide Writing Your Journal Article in Twelve Weeks , aiding academics worldwide in publishing success. Belcher’s awards include the Fulbright Scholarship, SSEMW’s Best Scholarly Edition award, and the Paul Hair Award. Her work appears in journals like Eighteenth-Century Fiction and Research in African Literatures , with peer-reviewed chapters in volumes on African Christian biography and global medievalism. She collaborates with scholars like Michael Kleiner and Ralph Lee on translations and digital humanities projects. Her teaching and research challenge Eurocentric narratives, emphasizing Africa’s rich textual heritage and its contributions to global literature.

• African literature
• Comparative literature
• Medieval studies
• +4 more