research in academic medias

I have published some of my research for public audiences on platforms such as Scholars Strategy Network 
  • Why Community Engaged Scholarship Needs a Clear Definition (Key Findings Brief), Nov 2021
  • Why the Evaluation of Faculty Community Engaged Scholarship Needs Clear Criteria (Basic Facts Brief), Nov 2021
  • Why Faculty Reward Policies Should Incentivize Community Engaged Scholarship (Key Findings Brief), Nov 2021
  • Why Community Engaged Scholarship is Important to Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity in Higher Education (Findings), Nov 2021
  • How Community Engaged Scholarship Improves Teaching and Learning (Basic Facts Brief), Nov 2021

with Sikh diasporas

My work as a community scholar focuses on identifying and fighting how ideologies of white supremacy, anti-queerness, and gender conformity emerge in our lives, both within and outside the Sikh and Sikh-American diaspora. 

I organize keynotes, workshops, and lectures on these topics, some of which are publicly available and shared below. Please feel free to reach out if you have questions in having (or beginning) these conversations with your community. 

public commentary

  • A two-part article for Kaur Life reviewing the anti-transgender legislation being implemented in the US and its relevance to US Sikh communities, along with interviews with queer and/or transgender Sikhs sharing their contemporary experiences (Part 1 | Part 2)
  • A meditation for Kaur Life on queer and trans embodiment through Gurbani that moves discussions of queer and trans Sikh liberation into an anti-casteist tradition
  • ​A coauthored op-ed for UpriseRI concerning national legislation that would create a study commission, which would disproportionately impact workers in the sex industry who are queer, trans, and/or experiencing poverty and housing insecurity​





​A roundtable panel with Logo TV discussing the intersections of queerness and Sikhi as part of their Pride 2019 efforts.

interviews & community engagement

  • A BBC radio interview with Nihal discussing queer gender identity in the South Asian community​
  • A profile with a British South Asian diaspora magazine Barfi Culture
  • An interview on the podcast The One with Shabd Singh and Smalls discussing race, queerness, gender(s), and Sikhi
  • ​​An interview with the queer art and pop culture magazine Wussy Mag on the politics of nonbinary identity, Sikhi, and my research
  • An interview with Apni Sehat, a show on Punjabi Radio USA, discussing the basics of gender and sexuality in gender: Part 1 | Part 2 
    • Note: Please extend grace to both my conversational Punjabi and to my ability to translate my thoughts fully in Punjabi. I have more vocabulary to learn, but may this help us build a stronger language around LGBTQI+ issues in Punjabi within the diaspora. The discussion around intersexual identity was especially limited by language. The Intersex Society of North America provides additional information, as does Planned Parenthood​
    • NB: Anti-queerness is structural. Unfortunately, Part 2 never aired on Punjabi Radio USA due to concerns around "exposing children" to the "dangerous ideas" of who is in LGBTQIA+ communities
  • An interview on the podcast Blessed Are the Binary Breakers with Avery discussing Sikhi, queerness, colonialism in higher education, and interfaith dialogue when based in western traditions (episode 17). A transcript is available courtesy of Avery
  • An interview on Chat Chat with Chandani to discuss parenting, Sikhi, and gender and sexuality ​
  • A interview on the Rahao Podcast hosted by SikhTeens.​​
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​I collaborated to organize SALDEF's political education series on racial justice – "Demystifying U.S. History and Activating Sikh Action for Black Justice Movements". This is part 4, "Fighting for Black Trans Lives In Liberation Movements", in the six part series.
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​"A Summer Fireside Chat" with the Sikh Coalition's Summer Series to discuss queer and trans futures within Sikh spaces, with Gurleen Kaur.