Brendan H. O’Connor

Brendan H. O’Connor is an Associate Professor and program coordinator at Arizona State University's School of Transborder Studies, with an affiliation in the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College. His work bridges linguistic anthropology, education, and intercultural communication.

• Education: Ph.D. in Language, Reading, and Culture from the University of Arizona (2012).

O’Connor’s research focuses on language, identity, and education in multilingual and transnational contexts. He examines how marginalized communities, particularly migrant/seasonal farmworkers and Indigenous youth, navigate educational systems and construct cultural identities through discourse.

His recent publications highlight interdisciplinary pedagogies, translanguaging, and systemic barriers in higher education. Articles explore topics like embodied reasoning in science classrooms and liminality in youth labor contexts.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Presidential Early Career Fellow (2011)
  • Excellence in Teaching Award (2016-2017)
  • Runner-up, Douglas Foley Early Career Award (2020)

O’Connor contributes to public scholarship through outlets like Sapiens and The Conversation, advocating for educational equity. He serves on editorial and university committees, including the ASU University Senate and the Interdisciplinary Committee on Linguistics.