Joy Michael Ellison

Joy Michael Ellison serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Gender and Women’s Studies at the University of Rhode Island, where they bridge academic scholarship with public history through their influential blog If We Knew Trans History. Recognized for groundbreaking work on transgender history and children's literature, Ellison's career exemplifies commitment to making marginalized histories accessible while advancing LGBTQIA2 scholarship.

Professor Ellison's research centers on transgender history in the Midwestern United States (1945-2000), with particular focus on Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson's foundational activism. Their scholarship explores intersections of gender identity, race, legal systems, and social movements, contributing significantly to trans feminist theory and historical recovery methodologies. This work manifests both in academic publications and the acclaimed children's book Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution!, which uses accessible storytelling to educate youth about trans history and social justice.

Ellison's recent publications reveal consistent thematic focus on historical representation and legal activism within transgender communities. The 2023 Feminist Studies article examines the emergence of trans feminism through legal advocacy, while the 2019 Medieval Feminist Forum piece innovatively analyzes Rivera/Johnson's legacies through medieval frameworks. Both works demonstrate interdisciplinary approaches connecting historical analysis to contemporary social justice movements.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Yuyi Morales Merit Scholarship from the Children’s Picture Book Academy

As an early-career scholar, Professor Ellison prioritizes public engagement over traditional lab structures, offering virtual workshops and educational resources through their blog and book initiatives. They actively collaborate with organizations like Family Equality Council to develop materials helping parents discuss gender diversity with children, positioning historical knowledge as essential for healing and resistance.

While not maintaining a formal research laboratory, Ellison's If We Knew Trans History platform functions as a dynamic knowledge hub, complemented by their children's literature work. This integrated approach transforms academic research into community resources, particularly through the Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution! project which includes lesson plans and conversation guides for educators seeking to incorporate transgender history into youth education.