Emily Bock

Emily Bock is an Assistant Professor in the Department of American Studies at the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, George Washington University. Her academic work bridges cultural anthropology, Black studies, queer theory, and performance studies, focusing on how marginalized communities create meaning and live beyond survival.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Anthropology, University of Chicago
• B.A. in Anthropology & Dance, Barnard College (minor in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies)

Her research centers on the contemporary ballroom scene—a predominantly Black, queer performance community—examining how participants enact alternative visions of the good life amid structural violence. She is currently developing her book manuscript, Ordinary Queens: Queer Performances of the Good Life, which draws from multi-sited ethnography to explore ethics, survival, and futurity.

At GW, she teaches courses including AMST 6190: Welcome to The Good Life and AMST 3901: Examining America. Before joining GW, she served as a Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow at the University of Chicago with joint appointments in Gender and Sexuality Studies and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies.

Scientific Awards:

Emily Bock has made significant contributions to interdisciplinary scholarship at the nexus of race, gender, sexuality, and performance. While no formal advising or grant history is listed, her work is deeply engaged with community-based ethnographic practice and critical theory. She continues to expand her research into the ethical and aesthetic dimensions of queer life-making.

Labs and Research Groups:

No specific labs or research teams are mentioned in the provided text.