We’re excited to share that Dr. Chelsea Bouldin has joined us as an Assistant Professor in Ethnic Studies. Welcome to the community, Professor Bouldin!

What’s your research specialization? What projects are you currently working on?

I am an Assistant Professor of Ethnic Studies in the School for Cultural and Social Transformation at the University of Utah. My research is concerned with the relationship(s) between Black women’s imaginative processes of self-making, cognition, and archival praxis. Currently concluding a 2024–25 fellowship at the Huntington Library, I am working on my first book project which will expand my work on Octavia E. Butler to include other Black women intellectuals and artists, such as Betye Saar, Belle da Costa Greene, and Zora Neale Hurston.

Broadly, my scholarship demonstrates the value of nuancing conceptualizations of Black self-hood, democratizing Black women’s epistemically rich archived writing, and creatively imagining archived material as models of liberatory praxis. Black feminism(s) act as the compass guiding my research, teaching, and mentorship.

What do you love about teaching? Which course is your favorite to teach and why?

I find as much joy in teaching as I do in being taught. What I love most is creating spaces where students can cultivate their own questions, curiosities, and imaginative thinking—while grappling with the complexities of our interconnected world. My Black Imagination course is especially meaningful to me, as it emphasizes imagination not as a flowery ideal, but as a political practice—something we can do, and do do. It’s a space where imagination is not only encouraged but studied and operationalized as a tool for engaging and transforming the world around us.

What did you do before coming to the U of U? What’s your background?

I’m originally from Virginia and recently earned my Ph.D. in cultural foundations of education from Syracuse University. I also completed a certificate of advanced studies in women’s and gender studies. While there, I was involved in several collectives focused on creating space to address various social issues—experiences that continue to deeply shape my academic philosophy and approach to teaching and research.

What do you look forward to about Utah/the U of U?

I’m really looking forward to getting to know students—their interests, questions, and the unique perspectives they bring into the classroom. I’m especially excited to learn more about what matters to them: what drives their curiosity, what challenges they care about, and how they imagine their futures. I’m also eager to explore opportunities for cross-university collaboration and to be in conversation across disciplines. I’m also hoping to experience more of Utah’s incredible landscape. I will be crossing five more national parks off my list sooner than later!

How do you spend your time outside of work? What hobbies do you enjoy?

I love all things culinary. There’s something incredibly special about experimenting with flavors and sharing good food. I even subscribe to the physical copy of Food and Wine because sometimes you just need a little inspiration that’s not on a screen. The beach is my favorite place to unwind and reflect; having grown up near the ocean, I’ve come to appreciate that peaceful escape more than I used to. Lately, I’ve also rediscovered the joy of letter writing. In a fast-paced world, taking the time to put pen to paper feels meaningful, and there’s something quietly satisfying about the ritual of choosing the perfect stamp and putting a letter in the mail.