Research Summary
I focus on the intersections of decolonial theory, trans studies, and educational philosophy, strongly emphasizing praxis that challenges and reimagines conventional structures of knowledge production. My work navigates the complexities of identity, embodiment, and systemic oppression, drawing from diverse epistemologies, including Latina/x feminism, Queer Indigenous metaphysics, and Trans of Color Critique.
Education
- Ph.D., Education, University of California, Berkeley
- M.A. Education, Education, University of California, Berkeley
- M.A. , Sociology, Columbia University
- B.A. , Sociology, University of California, Berkeley
Biography
Dr. Omi Salas-SantaCruz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Education, Culture, & Society at the University of Utah and holds a PhD in Critical Studies of Race, Class, and Gender in Education from UC Berkeley. With over a decade of experience in LGBTQ+ advocacy, Title IX policy, and supporting trans and gender-nonconforming students, Dr. Salas-SantaCruz’s work focuses on creating inclusive educational environments and advancing decolonial and feminist frameworks within academia. They specialize in Jotería pedagogy, decolonial trans* feminism, and Latinx feminist philosophy, drawing on interdisciplinary insights to explore how marginalized communities, particularly queer and trans people of color, experience and challenge systemic oppression within educational spaces.
Dr. Salas-SantaCruz's research and teaching engage deeply with the co-production of identity and power, utilizing Critical Theory, Trans of Color Critique, and decolonial methodologies to address the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality in education. Their innovative frameworks,Decolonial Trans Feminism and Jotería Crit, explores the intersections of anti-Blackness, anti-Indigeneity, and the coloniality of gender, proposing healing-centered approaches that honor storytelling, cultural resistance, and community self-determination.
Service & Awards
Chair of American Educational Research Association (AERA) Queer SIG
Chair of Association of Jotería Arts, Activism, and Scholarship (AJAAS).
Dissertation of the Year 2023 AERA Queer SIG
Article of the Year Award Honorable Mention 2022 AERA Queer SIG