Tyler D. Parry

Tyler D. Parry is an Associate Professor of African American and African Diaspora Studies and serves as Chair of the Department of Interdisciplinary, Gender, and Ethnic Studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His expertise spans slavery studies, African American culture, the African diaspora, and African American social movements, with particular focus on the transatlantic slave trade, historical memory of slavery, and cultural rituals among marginalized communities.

Education

• Ph.D. in Slavery, African Diaspora, and Slave Marriage and Family Life from the University of South Carolina
• M.A. in Slavery and African Diaspora from the University of South Carolina
• B.A. in History from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Dr. Parry's research centers on the cultural practices, resistance strategies, and historical memory of enslaved peoples in the Americas. His work examines how marginalized communities maintained cultural traditions and created new rituals under conditions of oppression, with particular attention to marriage practices, material culture, and everyday resistance. He explores the transnational connections between African American communities and their counterparts throughout the Atlantic world, challenging simplistic narratives about cultural retention and adaptation.

His extensive publication record demonstrates consistent engagement with both academic and public audiences. His scholarly articles span prominent journals in history, African American studies, and interdisciplinary fields, while his public writing in outlets like The Washington Post and Black Perspectives addresses contemporary issues through historical analysis. A recurring theme across his work is the examination of how historical narratives about slavery are constructed, contested, and deployed in contemporary political discourse.

Dr. Parry has developed innovative pedagogical approaches to teaching African American history, including a notable "textbook-free" course that utilizes primary sources and digital materials. His work as department chair reflects his commitment to interdisciplinary approaches to ethnic studies and his leadership in advancing scholarship on race, gender, and ethnicity.