Cole Rizki

Cole Rizki is a PhD candidate in the Literature Program and his dissertation focuses on contemporary transgender activisms in Argentina. Rizki’s work considers how the legacy of Argentine genocide and state terrorism (1976-83) shapes present day transgender human rights claims. Through visual culture analysis, ethnographic interviews, and archival research, Rizki’s dissertation reorganizes the study of Argentine activisms by suggesting unexpected coalitions between current gender and sexuality rights advocates and the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo. In Fall 2016, Rizki taught Duke’s first “Introduction to Transgender Studies” service-learning course where his students partnered with local non-profit organizations to develop resources for trans and non-binary folks. Rizki currently sits on the Board of Directors of statewide non-profit organization EqualityNC and serves as Trans Subcommittee Chair of Duke’s LGBTQ Task Force working with administrators, faculty, and staff to develop LGBTQ inclusive policies for Duke University and affiliated hospital systems. He is the co-editor of forthcoming Transgender Studies Quarterly special issue “Trans Studies en las Américas” slated for May 2019.