Dr. Thomas Billard

Associate Professor

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Biography

TJ Billard is an Associate Professor in the School of Communication at Northwestern University, with a courtesy appointment in the Department of Sociology. They are also affiliated with the Center for Communication & Public Policy and the Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing. Billard is the founding executive director of the Center for Applied Transgender Studies in Chicago and editor of its flagship journal, the Bulletin of Applied Transgender Studies. Their research focuses on the role of media in the transgender rights movement, particularly examining the relationship between digital media strategies and social activism aimed at achieving political equality for transgender individuals. Billard's published work spans multiple academic fields, including political communication, sociology, and transgender studies. They are currently co-editing a volume on public scholarship in communication studies. Prior to joining Northwestern, Billard worked as a Media Policy Studies Fellow and established the Trans Equality Archive, a significant collection of transgender political history in the United States.

Research Interests

Courses

Research Methods in Communication Studies Media, Movements, and Social Change Brand Management in the Digital Age Foundational Theories in Media Communication New Canon: Race, Nation, Gender, Sexuality in Communication Studies

Requirements for Northwestern University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
U.S. Bachelor's degree or equivalent
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Transcripts
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose
  • Resume/CV
  • TOEFL/IELTS scores (if applicable)
Specialization Notes

Standard PhD requirements for TGS departments including Chemistry, Physics, and Sociology.