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Mireille Miller-Young

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Mireille Miller

Assistant Professor, Women's Studies

Personal Profile

My hobbies are art (especially painting and photography), poetry, traveling, and cycling. I love pop culture, especially from the 80s, and am a big fan of sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, and historical TV and movies.


Research Interests

My research interests are race and sexuality in media and the sex industry. My current book project examines the historical representation and labor politics of African American women in the adult entertainment industry. I also research women of color's sexual identities and representations in popular culture and the internet.


Teaching Style

I'm passionate about what I teach and I do my best to communicate the ideas in the material as energetically and clearly as possible. I like to ask my students to think about complex issues of power, gender, race and sexuality by questioning their assumptions and pushing them to empathize with the everyday lives of the disempowered and oppressed. My classes often get intense and emotional as students wrestle with these ideas, so I try to create a supportive environment where diverse views can be heard and respected.


Idea of a Good Time

I love to travel so I'd say bicycling in Amsterdam, a house party in Johannesburg, shopping in London, clubbing in Rio, museums in Paris, no traffic in L.A., and anything in New York City.


Most Important Thing to Learn at College

I think the most important things a student can learn in college are how to think critically and how to organize their time. These are skills that will allow you to study and understand any subject and any discipline, even beyond college. I also think it's important that students learn a sense of responsibility beyond themselves and to give back in whatever way they can to their communities, the nation, and the world.


Advice for New Students at UCSB

My advice to new students at UCSB is that they should seek out faculty and staff as mentors early on. There are many people here who are very supportive of students and will work with them to navigate college successfully, as well as advise them on how to pursue their interests afterwards. When I was in college I had two professors as mentors who really made a big impact on my life and career.