Dr Evelyn Whorrall-Campbell
Biography
Dr Evelyn Whorrall-Campbell [they/them] is a researcher, writer and artist specialising in histories of trans and queer theoretical and cultural production. Their primary research interests include: disciplinary histories of trans studies, queer theory, and feminism; artists' moving image, photography, print culture, digital media; psychoanalysis, cultural studies, Marxism; politics and aesthetics; trans epistemologies, and the history of sex, gender and sexuality.
Their current research project, undertaken with support from the Leverhulme Trust, seeks to map the foreclosures of a British trans theoretical project, attending to the epistemic and infrastructural impasses that shaped moments of trans theorising in the latter half of the twentieth century. Evelyn is also completing a monograph about sexual difference, the politics of representation, and the relationship between early queer and trans theory.
In 2024, they completed their PhD in Film and Screen Studies at the University of Cambridge, with a thesis on the history transgender cultural and theoretical production in 1990s Britain. Prior to joining Edinburgh College of Art, they held postdoctoral fellowships at the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities, University of Edinburgh, and the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art. In addition, Evelyn has taught critical theory, film studies, history of art, and studio practice at the University of Cambridge; Cambridge School of Art, Anglia Ruskin University; Royal College of Art; and London College of Communications, University of the Arts London.
Research interests
- Disciplinary histories of trans studies, queer theory, and feminism
- Politics and aesthetics
- Psychoanalysis, cultural studies, Marxism
- Artists' moving image, photography, print culture, digital media
- Trans epistemologies, and the history of sex, gender and sexuality
Prior to joining Edinburgh College of Art, Evelyn has taught undergraduate and MA modules in critical theory, film and media studies, history of art, research skills and studio practice at the University of Cambridge; Cambridge School of Art, Anglia Ruskin University; Royal College of Art; and London College of Communications, University of the Arts London. They have also supervised dissertations on topics ranging from: trans aesthetics and contemporary art; trans photographic practices; queer film histories and distribution practices; art and HIV/AIDS; crip theory, mad studies and artistic practice.
Research
Research
Evelyn's research and practice explores trans theoretical and cultural production, with a focus on critical approaches to trans epistemologies, aesthetic theory, and the politics of representation. Their research engages with the social, intellectual and media histories of the Liberation movements of the twentieth century, as well as associated disciplinary movements, from Freudo-Marxism, cultural studies, poststructuralism and postmodernism, with an interest in the disciplinary histories of trans studies, queer theory, and feminism; artists' moving image; photography; print culture; performance; digital media; practices of distribution and collaboration; the history of sex, gender and sexuality.
They are currently working on two monograph projects. The first seeks to map the foreclosures of a British trans theoretical project, attending to the epistemic and infrastructural impasses that shaped moments of trans theorising in the latter half of the twentieth century. Evelyn is also completing a monograph about sexual difference, the politics of representation, and the relationship between early queer and trans theory. They have also published on wide range of topics from: queer and trans theory; trans cinema and cultural production; aesthetic theory; and trans approaches to psychoanalysis for British Art Studies, Journal of Lesbian Studies , Parapraxis, Transgender Studies Quarterly, world picture journal, and The SAGE Handbook of Gender.