Lina-Maria Murillo

Lina-Maria Murillo is an Associate Professor in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at the University of Texas at Austin's College of Liberal Arts. A distinguished historian specializing in reproductive justice and borderlands history, she has established herself as a leading scholar examining the intersections of race, gender, and reproductive politics in the U.S.-Mexico border region.

Murillo earned her doctorate in Borderlands History from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) in 2016, following an M.A. in history from UTEP (2011) and a B.A. in History and Raza Studies from San Francisco State University (2007). Her academic journey reflects a deep commitment to understanding the historical experiences of marginalized communities along the border.

Her research focuses on reproductive justice and care, Latina health activism, population control ideology, immigration, white nationalism, reproductive violence, and demographic decline. Murillo's work critically examines how historically marginalized communities, particularly Mexican-origin women, have navigated and resisted reproductive control mechanisms while creating alternative frameworks for reproductive care and autonomy. She investigates how fears of white demographic decline have shaped reproductive policies and political movements across American history, connecting early 20th century 'race suicide' rhetoric to contemporary 'white genocide' conspiracy theories.

Murillo's scholarly output reveals consistent engagement with transnational reproductive justice frameworks, particularly examining the US-Mexico borderlands as a critical site for understanding reproductive politics. Her publications demonstrate expertise in historical methodology while addressing urgent contemporary issues, with particular attention to how racial politics intersect with reproductive governance. She frequently connects historical patterns to current policy debates, especially regarding abortion access and demographic anxieties.

• 2023 Catharine Stimpson Prize for Outstanding Feminist Scholarship
• Jensen-Miller prize for best article in women and gender history
• American Association of University Women (AAUW) fellowship
• American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) fellowship
• Ford Foundation grant
• Albert J. Beveridge Grant for Research in History
• Boston Medical Library Fellowship at Harvard University

Murillo's research has been generously supported by prestigious fellowships and grants, reflecting the significance of her contributions to historical scholarship. With colleague Natalie Fixmer-Oraiz, she co-edits the 'Locating Reproductive Justice: Global and Regional Perspectives' book series at the University of Iowa Press. Her public scholarship extends beyond academia through numerous op-eds, podcasts, and media appearances where she contextualizes current reproductive rights debates within historical frameworks.

Murillo directs significant collaborative projects including the Reproductive Justice and Maternal Politics Obermann collaborative at the University of Iowa. She has established herself as a leading voice in reproductive justice scholarship through her book publications, extensive speaking engagements, and interdisciplinary collaborations that bridge historical research with contemporary activism.