Dr. Sami Schalk
Biography
Schalk earned a B.A. in English and Women's Studies from Miami University, an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Notre Dame, and a Ph.D. in Gender Studies from Indiana University. Her research focuses on disability, race, and gender in contemporary American literature and culture.
Her first book, Bodyminds Reimagined: (Dis)ability, Race, and Gender in Black Women's Speculative Fiction (2018), examines representations of disability, race, and gender in speculative fiction by Black women. Her second book, Black Disability Politics (2022), traces Black disability activism and political organizing, including the Black Panther Party, Black women's health activism, HIV/AIDS activism, and contemporary disability politics.
Alongside her academic work, Schalk has participated in Black feminist, queer, and disability-justice organizing in Madison. She has served on the board of Freedom Inc. and participated in the Community Pride Coalition's campaign for police-free Pride. Her public scholarship includes pleasure activism and the Pleasure Practices column, connecting pleasure, embodiment, culture, and liberation.
BQW Impact
Schalk's work places Black queer women at the intersection of race, gender, sexuality, disability, and political struggle. Her scholarship examines how these identities shape Black women's lives, cultural production, and activism.
Her work has also expanded conversations around Black disability politics and queer liberation, bringing disability justice into dialogue with Black feminist theory and broader movements for social change.
Notable Works
Bodyminds Reimagined: (Dis)ability, Race, and Gender in Black Women’s Speculative Fiction (2018)
Examines representations of disability, race, and gender in speculative fiction by Black women.
Black Disability Politics (2022)
Traces Black disability activism and political organizing across movements involving health, disability, race, and liberation.
Pleasure Practices
Public writing exploring pleasure, embodiment, food, culture, and politics.
Community Pride Coalition / No Cops in Pride
Participated in Madison organizing challenging police involvement in Pride and advocating for a police-free Pride celebration.
Learn More
Professional website featuring her scholarship, writing, teaching, and creative work.
UW Madison Gender & Women's Studies
Current faculty profile and research.
Duke University Press Bodyminds Reimagined
Publisher page for her first book.
Duke University Press Black Disability Politics
Publisher page for her second book.
Verified public social account.