Randolph - Faculty-in-Residence

Dr. Eric Disbro is Assistant Professor of Romance Studies at Duke University with secondary appointments in Gender, Sexuality, & Feminist Studies and International Comparative Studies. He holds a B.A. in French, Spanish, and Art History from Nazareth University and an M.A. and dual Ph.D. in French & Francophone Studies and Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies from the Pennsylvania State University. As a researcher, Dr. Disbro specializes in contemporary literature and cultural studies of the Francophone (French-speaking) regions of the Indian Ocean, Oceania, and the Caribbean, LGBTQIA+ studies, maritime ecocriticism, and care ethics. He is currently at work on a book manuscript, Terraqueous Intimacies: Queer and Trans Crosscurrents in Francophone Archipelagic Literatures, which has led to research stays in Mauritius, France, and Tahiti. 

In the classroom, Dr. Disbro is committed to robust discussion-based seminars. He teaches in the first-year Constellation titled “What makes a body political?” with a seminar called “Unruly Bodies: Narratives of Dissent” in which students take a global approach to questions of human rights, politics, embodiment, and empire. He has accompanied students to Duke Arts performances and film festivals, advised students interested in study abroad, and enjoys organizing conversations between students and practicing artists, writers, curators, and translators. In teaching, he particularly values genuine curiosity, a respect for the liberal arts, the boldness of interdisciplinary inquiry, and the initiative students bring for research. 

Dr. Disbro is originally from the Thousand Islands region of Upstate New York and benefited from early education in French due to his proximity to Canada. In college, he did a yearlong study abroad at the Université de Haute Bretagne, Rennes II in Brittany, France which solidified his affinity for Breton culture given its similarities with Northern New York and New England. Prior to his appointment at Duke, Dr. Disbro taught at Williams College in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. 

Beyond his academic work, he enjoys film and theater, strong coffee from the many wonderful cafés around the Triangle, stand-up comedy, and drag performance. He is also a pianist and a knitter/crocheter (who will show you photos of projects if you bring it up!). Most importantly, Dr. Disbro looks forward to welcoming students to Randolph and to the Duke community.