Dr. Candice D. Roberts is a scholar and storyteller who believes that narrative is the fundamental unit of human communication, and so their research, teaching, service, and creative pursuits center cultural narrative. Broadly their work examines identity in popular culture, and they are particularly interested in archetypes, consumer behavior, and sociality around themes of class, sexuality and space/place. Dr. Roberts is co-editor of Consumer Identities: Agency, Media and Digital Culture and the author of several academic papers and popular articles.
They apply the consumer identities framework to the queer experience in examining how marginalized citizens manage cultural tensions between the validation of their minority identities and the association with the mainstream or primary consumer culture. These same dynamics are explored in their research on local drag cultures and the mainstreaming of drag as well as work on LGBT representation and queer potentialities in contemporary film, TV and hybrid communities.
Dr. Roberts uses the concepts of hybridity and fluidity in the classroom as well. From a media studies standpoint, they introduce a triangular approach that asks students to take on multiple perspectives as creators, consumers, and academics.
You can also find them around New York City talking to strangers, enjoying vegetarian breakfast food, making and watching theatre, and creating comedy with indie sketch team Beautiful, Spooky & Stupid.
currently pondering…
“People had begun to realize that these simple pleasures were the most delicious part of the fruit we call everyday life, which is why even though their houses were small and food was scarce, they still wanted to live in Tokyo.”
The Emissary –
Yoko Tawada
“When bad things happen, I know you want to believe they are a joke, but sometimes life is scary and dark. That is why we must find the light.”
BMO, Adventure Time
theatre as a tool for social change and these queer, black playwrights
Playbill.com
candice d. roberts, phd 