Susy Zepeda

Susy Zepeda, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies at the University of California, Davis, within the College of Letters and Science. Her interdisciplinary scholarship bridges feminist studies, ethnic studies, and queer theory, with a focus on Chicana/Latina decolonial feminisms and transnational visual culture.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Sociology, University of California, Santa Cruz (2012)
• M.A. in Sociology, University of California, Santa Cruz (2007)
• B.A. in Sociology and Women’s Studies, California State University, Long Beach (2000)

Her research engages with critical race and ethnic studies, U.S. women of color feminist theory, LGBTQI and queer of color studies, oral history, archival research, and collaborative methodologies. She emphasizes generational healing and cultural memory through decolonial frameworks. Her work is deeply informed by her identity as a queer Xicana Indígena and her commitment to social justice.

The selected publications reflect a sustained engagement with queer of color epistemologies, feminist of color collaboration, and Indigenous cultural production. Her scholarship consistently centers marginalized voices, particularly in visual and oral storytelling traditions, and contributes to broader conversations in decolonization and intersectional feminism.

Scientific Awards:

• National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (2005–2008)
• Eugene Cota-Robles Fellowship, UCSC (2003–2005)
• UC MEXUS Dissertation Research Grant (2010)
• Lionel Cantú Graduate Award, Chicano Latino Research Center, UCSC (2010)

Professor Zepeda has been actively involved in collaborative research and writing, notably as a member of the Santa Cruz Feminist of Color Collective. She has also worked closely with the Mexico-based filmmaker collective Mujeres y Cultura Subterránea, which has influenced her scholarship on transnational visual culture. Her current book project traces the historical and contemporary contributions of queer Xicana and Latina cultural producers, analyzing intersections of race, gender, sexuality, spirituality, and land.

Research Team and Collaboration:

• Santa Cruz Feminist of Color Collective
• Mujeres y Cultura Subterránea (Mexico-based filmmaker collective)