Francesca Dennstedt

Francesca Dennstedt is Assistant Professor in Hispanic Studies at the University of Kentucky. She holds a Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis with a certificate in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Her research examines twentieth-century and contemporary Mexican culture through intersections of gender, sexuality, border studies, and medical humanities.

Research explores cuir (queer) critiques of Mexican cultural canons, pharmaceutical industry impacts on border narratives, and AIDS memory preservation. Current work investigates binational narratives of the AIDS crisis in Tijuana, employing autotheory to reconstruct marginalized histories.

Teaching emphasizes Latinx cultural history and Latin American activism, fostering collaborative learning environments centered on cultural competency and solidarity. Courses address positionality, identity, and global social complexities.

Service: Contributes to public humanities through Hablemos Escritoras and Tierra Adentro platforms.