New York University

Jian Chen's research focuses on the new cultural interfaces provoked by the transnational circulation of sexed racial and ethnic cinematic images. Areas of interest include: gender and sexuality studies; film theory and visual cultures; postcolonial diasporas; and queer and transgender critique. S/he is currently working on a book manuscript exploring the relationships between post-cinematic film and video and extra-cinematic imagery of deviant Asian/American sexualities and genders. Chen received a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature at the University of California, Irvine in Spring 2009 and B.A. degrees in Ethnic Studies and English at the University of California, Berkeley. Prior to graduate work, s/he worked as a community organizer, event planner, and fundraiser for San Francisco Bay Area non-profit organizations confronting immigrant sweatshop labor and anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer violence. Chen has also participated in multiple subcultural literary, performance, and visual productions.