معرفی
Rafael Walker is an Assistant Professor of English at Baruch College, City University of New York, within the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences. He holds a courtesy appointment in the Black and Latino Studies Department and is affiliated with the Program in Women and Gender Studies. His academic work spans American literature, African American literature, theory of the novel, and gender and sexuality studies, with particular focus on biracial identity and representation.
Dr. Walker earned his Ph.D. in English Literature from the University of Pennsylvania, where he also completed his M.A. He received his undergraduate education (A.B. in English) at Washington University in St. Louis. This educational background has provided him with a strong foundation for examining the intersections of race, gender, and literary form across American literary history.
Walker's research centers on two major book projects: 'Realism after the Individual: Women, Desire, and the Modern American Novel' (forthcoming with University of Chicago Press) and 'Biraciality in American Literature and Culture.' His scholarship consistently challenges conventional categorizations, particularly regarding how biracial experiences are framed within literary studies. He argues that writers' attempts to carve out space in the American imagination for biracial existence constitute a distinct tradition that deserves nuanced consideration beyond standard African American literary frameworks.
His scholarly output demonstrates significant engagement with American literary realism, African American literature, and issues of racial and gender identity. Recent publications show increasing engagement with contemporary social and political issues, including faculty labor conditions, higher education policy, and racial politics in America. His work often examines how American novelists have participated in broader cultural efforts to redefine modern subjectivity, moving away from liberal individualism toward more communitarian paradigms.
- Crompton-Noll Award for Best Essay in LGBTQ Studies (2016) from the Modern Language Association for 'Nella Larsen Reconsidered: The Trouble with Desire in Quicksand and Passing'
Walker teaches courses across his areas of specialization at Baruch College, including American and African American fiction, as well as courses in the college's Great Works Program. His teaching appears to be closely aligned with his research interests, particularly in courses on queer literature, mixed-race literature, and the modern short story. His course offerings demonstrate a commitment to bringing his scholarly expertise directly into the classroom.
Walker has established himself as a significant voice in American literary studies through his scholarly publications, editorial work (including critical editions of Nella Larsen's 'Passing' and Kate Chopin's 'The Awakening'), and public intellectual contributions through venues like The Chronicle of Higher Education. His six-lecture Amazon Audible Original series 'James Baldwin: The Man and His Work' (released February 2025) demonstrates his ability to translate academic expertise for broader audiences. His work bridges academic scholarship and public discourse, making significant contributions to both scholarly and contemporary conversations about race, literature, and identity.
