Isis Barra Costa

Isis Barra Costa is an Assistant Professor in Contemporary Brazilian Cultural and Literary Studies at The Ohio State University's College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Spanish & Portuguese. She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from New York University, alongside an M.A. in English Literature and a B.A. in Arts and Literature from Pontifícia Universidade Católica (São Paulo, Brazil). Her research focuses on Afro-Brazilian oral literature, performance, and philosophy, with contributions to hemispheric and transnational studies.

Education:

• Ph.D., Comparative Literature, New York University (200X)
• M.A., English Literature, New York University (200X)
• B.A., Arts and Literature, Pontifícia Universidade Católica (São Paulo, Brazil) (200X)

Research Interests: Costa's work bridges African Brazilian philosophy, diasporic literature, and cultural performance. She co-authored anthologies in Argentina, Portugal, and the U.S., including Passo da Guanxuma (2013) and Afro-Hispanic Review special issue (2010). Her upcoming book, Imagining the Past, Remembering the Future (2025), explores African diasporic knowledge systems.

Awards:

• Graduate Faculty Mentorship Award (College of Arts and Sciences, 2023)

Teaching & Service: Costa teaches courses on Brazilian literature, orature, and multimedia arts. She chairs committees for the Brazilian Studies Association and the Afro Digital Museum (UERJ). Her initiatives include the Afro-Brazilian Arts and Activism Series (2021) and the Challenging the Boundaries of Bodies conference (2024).

Labs & Collaborations: Engaged with Ohio State's Center for Latin American Studies and Billy Ireland Cartoon Library. Her work intersects academia with public outreach via podcasts and video lectures.