Harvard University has appointed Kareem Khubchandani, a prominent scholar in gender and sexuality studies, as a visiting professor starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. Khubchandani, currently an associate professor at Tufts University, is celebrated for his innovative teaching methods and his work in queer ethnography. He will be leading courses titled “Queer Ethnography” and “RuPaulitics: Drag, Race, and Desire.”
This appointment is particularly notable as Harvard navigates scrutiny from the federal government regarding perceived ideological imbalances within its faculty. Khubchandani’s hiring comes through an endowment specifically aimed at attracting “eminent scholars studying issues related to sexual minorities.” His teaching style uniquely blends academic theory with performance art, integrating elements from both the nightclub and the classroom to engage students in critical race, postcolonial, and gender theory through a vibrant lens.
Khubchandani is also known for his alter ego, “LaWhore Vagistan,” under which he performs drag. He describes this persona as a “judgmental South Asian aunty,” drawing inspiration from his roots and scholarly focus on South Asian queer communities. Intriguingly, he has presented academic lectures while in drag, a practice that gained him attention in 2019 during an event at Colgate University.
An accomplished author, Khubchandani has penned several notable works, including “Decolonize Drag” and “Ishtyle: Accenting Gay Indian Nightlife.” The former explores how gender is manipulated as a tool of colonial governance, while the latter highlights the vibrant expressions found within gay Indian nightlife.
With this appointment, Harvard is set to embrace a more diverse and inclusive academic atmosphere, bringing new perspectives to its curriculum. The intersection of critical scholarship and performance art that Khubchandani embodies may provide an invigorating educational experience for students, especially during a time when discussions surrounding gender and sexuality are increasingly prominent in society.