An Engaged Anthropology of LGBTQ+ Americans
Community-based inquiry grounded in a critical study of heteronormativity as a structuring force in American culture and society.
Culture · Health · Community
Dr. William J. Robertson
Assistant Professor of Anthropology
I am an applied medical anthropologist with a focus on community, gender/sexuality, care studies, arts and health, and clinical and biomedical practice. I am currently an Assistant Professor of Medical Anthropology in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Memphis.
Conducting participant observation as a cast/crew member with Friends of George's (in judges robes, second from right). Memphis, TN, 2026. Photo by Kevin Reed.
About
An engaged scholar of culture, gender, and wellbeing
For over a decade, I have focused on the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people in the US. My work exists at the nexus of critical medical anthropology, queer/trans studies, and science and technology studies. More recently, I have begun conducting research on arts and health as well as critical AI studies.
Areas of inquiry
Four orientations in my scholarly work
Disparities in Health & Wellbeing
A focus on the structural, cultural, and individual elements of health disparities in the US, especially for LGBTQ+ people.
Theories and Practices of Care
Conceptualizing care as a relational, embodied, and politically-inflected practice, with special attention to how heteronormativity undergirds inquiries and practices of care.
Science & Culture
Critical inquiry into the relationship between science and culture, including in healthcare settings as well as a critical skepticism of AI/LLM.
Find out more or get in touch
I'm always happy to hear from prospective students, inquisitive colleagues, or interested community members. You can view my CV for details about my scholarly record, and use the webform to contact me. I will respond to all good faith inquiries within a couple of business days, depending on how busy I am. You can also see regular updates from me on my public Notebook.