Aiesha Turman

While she considers herself a lifelong learner, Dr. Turman holds an Interdisciplinary PhD with a major in Humanities and Culture with certificates in Creative Writing and Women’s and Gender Studies from The Union Institute & University in Cincinnati, OH. 

Her dissertation, There’s Always Been an Afrofuture: Black Women’s Literature as Technology of Protest, explores the Black feminist literary genealogy of Afrofuturism and is part of her broader interests in Black pasts as the key to Black Futures. 

She's taught English and Africana Studies at NY City College of Technology (CUNY), Hunter College (CUNY), Nassau County Community College (SUNY), and is a new faculty in the Writing & Critical Inquiry Program at the University at Albany (SUNY).

Research Interests

Dr. Turman is an Afrofuturist Ethnographer and Trauma and Memory Theorist whose research explores the rich intersections of African American history, culture, and speculative futures. Her work explores the lived experiences and cultural practices of African and African Diaspora communities through the innovative lens of Afrofuturism, envisioning future scenarios that center on Black experiences, histories, and imaginations. 

As a trauma and memory theorist, she investigates the profound impacts of historical and contemporary traumas on individual and collective memory, examining how these memories are formed, represented, and reconciled. Through her interdisciplinary approach, Dr. Turman aims to illuminate the resilience and creativity of Black communities while addressing critical issues of identity, power, and social justice.

Course Description: Writing and Critical Inquiry: The Many Faces of Love

"The Many Faces of Love" a seminar dedicated to exploring the multifaceted nature of love through the lens of critical inquiry and expressive writing. This course delves into the profound impact love has on our personal and social lives, examining its various forms — romantic, familial, platonic, and self-love. We will engage with contemporary theorists like bell hooks, whose seminal work, All About Love: New Visions, provides a foundation for our discussions. Alongside hooks, we will investigate the writings of Audre Lorde and her exploration of love and self-care in Sister Outsider, and Ta-Nehisi Coates’ reflections on love and family in Between the World and Me.

Our journey will also include the analysis of films, music, and podcasts that offer diverse perspectives on love. We will screen and critique films such as Moonlight, which explores complex familial and romantic relationships; Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, a unique take on romantic love and memory; and The Big Sick, a modern romantic comedy that examines cultural and familial expectations. Additionally, we will listen to podcasts like "Modern Love" by The New York Times, which shares personal essays about love, and "Dear Sugars," where Cheryl Strayed and Steve Almond offer advice on love and relationships.

Throughout this seminar, you will transition to college-level coursework with a focus on writing as a means of inquiry and expression. You will develop critical thinking skills to analyze and interpret different representations of love, and enhance your ability to communicate effectively through diverse writing assignments and presentations. By examining texts such as Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God, and Toni Morrison’s Beloved, you will explore how love shapes and is shaped by identity, including race, gender, and sexuality. This course will cultivate a collaborative community that encourages peer support and shared learning experiences, empowering you to reflect on personal experiences and beliefs about love, and use writing as a tool for self-exploration and expression.