Jared O'Connor

Jared O'Connor is an Assistant Professor affiliated with the School of Arts & Sciences, specializing in Gender and Women’s Studies. His work bridges literary analysis, queer theory, and socio-political critiques of gender and sexuality.

• B.A., New College of Florida
• M.A., University of Mississippi
• Ph.D., University of Illinois Chicago

O'Connor's research investigates how experimental literary and artistic forms challenge and redefine understandings of gender and sexuality, particularly in the post-Stonewall era. He examines the interplay between queer art, state violence, and global political dynamics.

His recent publication in the James Baldwin Review (2024) explores queer futurity in post-Stonewall American literature. This work aligns with broader themes of socio-cultural resilience and artistic innovation.

• Willet Award for Outstanding Adjunct Instruction (Roosevelt University)
• Teaching Award for Outstanding Graduate Instruction (University of Illinois Chicago)
• Kegan Award for Outstanding Research in Gender and Women’s Studies (University of Illinois Chicago)

O'Connor’s teaching emphasizes graduate-level instruction in queer theory and literature. He combines critical analysis of state violence with explorations of artistic responses to socio-political challenges.