Dr. Tessie Liu

Biography

Tessie Liu (Ph.D., University of Michigan, 1987) is a historian specializing in modern France with a focus on social and cultural history, particularly gender history. Her work examines power dynamics within families and the ability of artisanal households to resist industrial capitalism, which in turn influenced economic patterns in specific regions. Liu's research spans the politics of race and citizenship within French colonialism and intricately explores the intersections of race, class, gender, and sexuality studies. She has completed a study on anti-racism in the context of the French Haitian Revolutions and aims to shift attention toward contemporary issues in race politics and beauty. Liu has been involved with editorial collectives for academic journals such as Feminist Studies and Gender History, leading various special issues that reflect her research focus areas. As a committed member of the Gender and Sexuality Studies community, she has directed graduate studies within her program and currently serves on the executive board of the Social Science History Association.

Research Interests

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