Dr. Mel Chen

Biography

Mel Y. Chen is a Professor of Gender and Women's Studies and the Director of the Center for the Study of Sexual Culture at the University of California, Berkeley. Chen's academic trajectory encompasses a diverse background in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences, ultimately culminating in a doctorate in linguistics and a transition into computer engineering. Their influential book, 'Animacies: Biopolitics, Racial Mattering, Queer Affect,' published in 2012 by Duke University Press, received the MLA GL/Q Caucus Alan Bray Award, touching on themes of racialization, gender, disability, and the concept of 'animacy.' Chen's forthcoming work, scheduled for December 2023, titled 'Race, Disability, Chemical Intimacy Empire,' will delve into the intricate relationships between race, disability, and the historical contexts of toxicity. Their scholarly contributions have appeared in prestigious journals such as 'Literary and Cultural Disability Studies' and 'Transgender Studies Quarterly,' among others. In addition to academic publications, Chen co-edits a book series at Duke University Press focusing on critical race and disability studies aligned with post/humanism. Furthermore, they are involved with a queer/trans arts collective in the San Francisco Bay Area, showcasing their commitment to the intersectionality of art, activism, and scholarship.

Research Interests