Andrea Herrera

Andrea Herrera (they/them) is an Adjunct Assistant Professor and Pro Tem Instructor in the Department of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies at the University of Oregon's College of Arts and Sciences. They also serve as Faculty Director of the LGBTQIA+ Scholars | Social Change & Collective Liberation Group. With teaching experience since 2008 across Texas, Missouri, and Oregon, Dr. Herrera has instructed courses in sociology, ethnic studies, rhetoric/composition, and advanced social theory in honors programs.

Their research centers on theories of identity, community, and selfhood, with a focus on discourses surrounding sexual violence in universities and strategies for combating systemic inequality through scholar-activism. Drawing from Cathy J. Cohen’s framework of radical solidarity, Dr. Herrera advances a ripple-effect theory of social change, emphasizing how micro-level interactions can generate transformative shifts at cultural and institutional levels.

Dr. Herrera’s pedagogy, described by students as “transformative,” is grounded in Paulo Freire’s critical education principles. Their work fosters a research-based optimism for students confronting structural inequities. As a scholar-activist, they integrate teaching, research, and advocacy to promote equity and liberation.

• Award-winning pedagogy (recognized by students as transformative)

Dr. Herrera advises and mentors students at both undergraduate and graduate levels, particularly within social justice-oriented programs. While specific grants are not mentioned, their leadership in the LGBTQIA+ Scholars initiative suggests involvement in funded or institutionally supported experiential and research opportunities. Their interdisciplinary approach bridges sociology, gender studies, and critical theory in service of collective liberation.

Dr. Herrera is affiliated with the LGBTQIA+ Scholars | Social Change & Collective Liberation Group, an interdisciplinary collective focused on equity, inclusion, and transformative social change through academic and community engagement.