Olivera Jokic

Olivera Jokic is an Associate Professor of English and Director of the Gender Studies Program at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY. She holds a Ph.D. in English Language and Literature from the University of Michigan (2008) with a Graduate Certificate in Women's Studies, and a B.A. in English from the University of Novi Sad (1996). Her research focuses on colonialism, gender justice, and the intersections of literature with social justice movements. She has curated exhibitions, led interdisciplinary initiatives like the Honors Program's 'Common Good' curriculum, and received multiple grants for projects addressing migration narratives and community-focused art.

Research & Scholarly Work: Jokic's work bridges literary analysis with archival studies, examining how colonial and postcolonial narratives shape contemporary understandings of gender, displacement, and empire. Her co-edited journal issues on popular culture archiving and colonial historiography reflect her commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship. She has translated works on Balkan history and curated exhibits exploring urban identity.

Awards & Grants: Highlights include the NEH-funded 'What is Friendship?' course (2014-15), the Kwando Kinshasa Mentorship Award (2021), and grants supporting community art collectives. Her editorial work includes contributions to the Justice Collaborative E-Reader and a website advising humanities students on career paths.

Teaching: Jokic teaches courses on migration, gender, revolution in literature, and ethics. Her capstone courses like 'Migrations: On Moving and Being Moved' and 'Modern Family' integrate critical theory with real-world social issues. She advises the Honors Program and has developed research-intensive courses such as 'Women and Revolution.'