Reese C. Kelly is interested in the relationship between power, identity, and embodiment. He is currently working on his dissertation entitled, “Borders That Matter: Trans Identity Management.” This research explores how societal norms regarding sex and gender shape the way that trans people experience their bodies, their identities, social interactions, and institutional participation. This interview-based study aims to reveal the ways people understand and express their identities living in a culture that is structured around the following assumptions: there are only two discrete sexes, male and female; men and women are opposite and complementary genders; and, every man is designated male at birth and every woman is designated female at birth. These assumptions are not only inaccurate, but they also create a society where people who fall outside of sex and gender norms are at risk of harassment, rejection, violence, isolation, and institutional erasure in both subtle and overt ways.
EDUCATION:
Ph.D. University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, Department of Sociology. Expected July 2010.
M.A. University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, Department of Sociology, Thesis: “Border-Crossing: Transgender Identity Management,” Awarded 2007.
B.A. Colby College, Waterville, ME, Department of Sociology. Awarded with Distinction 2004.
HONORS, AWARDS & FELLOWSHIPS:
Woodrow Wilson Women’s Studies Dissertation Fellowship, 2009.
University at Albany Benevolent Association Research Grant, Spring 2009.
Allen E. Liska Dissertation Research Award, Sociology Department, University at Albany, Spring 2009.
Dissertation Research Funding Award, Office of Graduate Studies, University at Albany, 2008-2009.
New York State Sociological Association Graduate Student Paper Award, “Contextual Gender, Trans Lives,” Fall 2008.
Graduate Student Organization Research/Travel Grant, University at Albany, Fall 2008.
Professional Development Award, Graduate Student Employees Union, University at Albany, Spring 2006.
PUBLICATIONS:
Book Chapters
“Queer Studies” and “Transvestite” Entries in Encyclopedia of Gender and Society. ed. Jodi O’Brien. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2009.
“Gay Marriage: Why Now? Why at All?” in S. Seidman, N. Fischer & C. Meeks (Eds.), Introducing the New Sexuality Studies: Original Essays and Interviews. New York, NY: Routledge, 2006.
Book Reviews
“Moving Across and Beyond Boundaries” Review of Transgender History, by Susan Stryker, GLQ: A Journal of Gay and Lesbian Studies 15(4), Summer 2009.
MANUSCRIPTS IN PROGRESS:
“Border Crossing at Gender Checkpoints: Trans Identity Management Borders and Bathrooms” (article).
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Visiting Instructor of Sociology, Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont. Fall 2009. Undergraduate courses taught: “Sociology of Gender,” “Transgender Studies: History, Identities, and Politics.”
Instructor of Sociology, University at Albany–SUNY, Albany, New York. Summer 2006–Spring 2008. Undergraduate courses taught: “Sociological Theory,” “Sociology of Gender,” “Sociology of Sexualities,” and “Social Problems.”
Adjunct Instructor of Women’s Studies, University at Albany–SUNY, Albany, New York. Summer 2008. Undergraduate courses taught: “Introduction to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Studies.”
Co-Teacher with Steven Seidman, Ph.D., University at Albany–SUNY, Albany, New York. Spring 2006. Undergraduate courses taught: “Sociological Theory.”
Teaching Assistant, University at Albany–SUNY, Albany, New York. Fall 2004-Fall 2007. Undergraduate courses assisted: “Sociology of Sexualities,” “Global Perspectives on Women and Gender,” and “Introduction to Sociology.”
TEACHING INTERESTS:
Classical & Contemporary Social Theories; Sex, Gender, and Sexualities
Sociology of the Body; Power, Identity, and Community
Queer and Feminist Theories; Women’s & Gender Studies
Race, Class, and Gender; Qualitative Research Methods
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE:
Head Organizer, LGBTQ Mini-Conference at 2011 Eastern Sociological Society Annual Meeting, 2009 Present.
Moderator, Panel on Marriage and International Migration, National Women's Studies Association Annual Conference, Fall 2009.
Roundtable Organizer, Sexualities Section, 104th Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association, Fall 2008-Summer 2009.
Member, Graduate Students Concerns Committee, Section on Teaching and Learning, American Sociological Association, 2008-2009.
Reviewer, Sociological Perspectives, Teaching & Learning, Gender & Society.
Assistant to Chair, Committee for LGBTQ Studies Minor, Department of Women’s Studies, University at Albany-SUNY, 2006-2008.
Organizer, Moderator, 6th Annual Women’s Studies Student Conference, University at Albany-SUNY, Fall 2007.
Professional Memberships: American Sociological Association, Section Member: Theory, Sexualities, Sex and Gender, Body and Embodiment, and Teaching and Learning; The Association for Gender Research, Education, Academia & Action; National Women’s Studies Association
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE:
Research Assistant for Dr. Teresa Arendell, Colby College, Spring 2002 and 2003.
Research Assistant, NSF ADVANCE Project, Institute for Research on Women and Gender, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Fall 2001 and 2003, Summer 2002 and 2003.
Research Assistant for Julie Stubbs, GEMS: Girls Explore Mathematics through Social Science, Institute for Research on Women and Gender, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Fall 2003.
Research Intern for Abigail Stewart, Global Feminisms Project, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Fall 2003.
TECHNICAL REPORTS:
“Assessing the Academic Work Environment for Women Scientists and Engineers,” preparation assistance under the name Laura Reese with Danielle LaVaque-Manty, Katie Barry, Robbin Gonzalez, Louise August, Adrienne Malley, Patty Mullally, Heather Brooks, and Barbara Gutek. Reported by Abigail J. Stewart, Julie R. Stubbs, and Janet E. Malley at the NSF ADVANCE project at the Institute for Research on Women and Gender at the University of Michigan, Spring 2002.
“Assessing the Academic Work Environment for Faculty of Color in Science and Engineering,” preparation assistance under the name Laura Reese with Danielle LaVaque-Manty and Heather Branton. Reported by Abigail J. Stewart, Julie R. Stubbs, and Janet E. Malley at the NSF ADVANCE project at the Institute for Research on Women and Gender at the University of Michigan, Spring 2002.
COMMUNITY SERVICE:
Member, Board of Directors, Capital District Gay and Lesbian Community Council, Inc., NY, Albany, NY, 2009-Present.
Founder, Co-Chair, Queer UAlbany Graduate Students Organization, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY, 2008–2009.
GSO Liaison, Catalyst: Feminist Graduate Students Organization, University at Albany – SUNY, Albany, NY, 2008–2009.
LGBTQ Representative, Multi-Cultural and Affirmative Action Committee, Graduate Student Organization, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY, 2008–2009.
Graduate Student Representative, GLBTQ Student Concerns Committee, Office of Student Success, University at Albany–SUNY, Albany, NY, 2008-2009.
Member, Programming Committee, Capital District Gay and Lesbian Community Council, Inc., NY, Albany, NY, 2007-Present.