Traci Abbott

Traci Abbott

  • Associate Professor, English and Media Studies
  • Coordinator, Gender Studies Program
  • Ph.D. Univ of Maryland-College Park
  • M.A. New York University
  • B.A. Smith College

Teaching Interests

Gender Studies
Queer Studies
Women's Literature
Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Literature
Expository Writing

Research Interests

Gender Studies
Queer Studies
Women's Literature
Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Literature
Transgender Literature

Bio

Traci Abbott's research investigates cultural representations of gender and sexuality in American literature and popular culture in 20th and 21st century novels, television, and film. Her work has been published in International Journal of Communication, The Journal of American Culture, and Women's Studies, as well as other journals, and in the collection, Beyond Binaries: Trans Identities in Contemporary Culture (Lexington, 2021). Her most recent book, The History of Trans Representation in American Television and Film Genres (Palgrave, 2022), analyzes transgender narratives in American film and tv from the 1960s to 2010s to assert that such characterizations remain limited and harmful to trans civil rights.

Professional Memberships

  • International Communication Association 2017-10-15 - Present
  • Popular Culture Association 2005-11-01 - Present

    • Awards and Honors

  • Russel B. Nye Award for Outstanding Article, Popular Culture Association and The Journal of Popular Culture
  • Joseph M. Cronin Award for Excellence in Academic Advising and Mentoring, Bentley University
  • Curricular Service-Learning Faculty Award, Bentley Service-Learning Center
  • Rainbow Award, LGBTQ@Bentley

    • Scholarly Contributions and Creative Productions

    Journal Articles

  • Abbott, T. B. (2025). The Shame of Being Trans: Transgender Patients and Cisgender Doctors on U.S. Medical Dramas. Literature and Medicine, (43) 1 219-240. (Link)
  • Abbott, T. (2025). Gen Z Sexual & Gender Fluidity in U.S. Scripted Television. Media and Communication, (13) 1-19. (Link)
  • Abbott, T. B. (2022). Trans Brides in the History of Trans Representations: All That Glitters (1977) and Sense8 (2015-2018).. Journal of American Culture, (55) 5 25. (Link)
  • Billard, T. J., Abbott, T. B., Haimson, O. L., Whipple, K. N., Whitestone, S. B., Zhang, E. (2020). Rethinking (and Retheorizing) Transgender Media Representation: A Roundtable Discussion. International Journal of Communication, (14) 4494-4507. (Link)
  • Abbott, T. (2013). Transamerica: The Romance Dilemma. The Journal of American Culture, (36) 1 32-41. (Link)
  • Abbott, T. (2009). Teaching Transgender Literature at a Business College. Race, Gender, and Class, (16) 2-Jan 152-169.
  • Abbott, T. (2008). 'A Good Girl Like Nancy': Willa Cather's Sapphira and the Slave Girl. The Southern Quarterly, (46) 1 26-45.
  • Abbott, T. (2008). Every Woman's Share: Female Sexuality in Fannie Hurst's Imitation of Life. Women's Studies, (37) 6 634-660.
  • Steinfield, L., Abbott, T. The Study of Gender 101. Journal of Consumer Research (In Progress)

    • Books

  • Abbott, T. (2022). The History of Transgender Representation in American Television and Film Genres 280 pages. London: Palgrave Macmillan (Link)

    • Book Chapters

  • Abbott, T. (2027). Trans Feminine Resistance in Sandoval’s Lingua Franca (2019) Impregnable: Mediated Meanings of the Body in Resistance. London, UK: Bloomsbury Publishing (Forthcoming)
  • Abbott, T. (2021). The Trans Baby Boom: Framing Male Pregnancy on Television Beyond Binaries: Trans Identities in Contemporary Culture. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books (Link)

    • Digital and Electronic Media, Social Media, Blogs, Podcasts

  • 2024. "The Hollywood Reporter"
  • Abbott, T. 2023. "Axios Today! Podcast"
  • Abbott, T. 2022. "USA Today.com"
  • 2022. "Washington Post"
  • Abbott, T. 2018. "Southern Comfort, directed and produced by Kate Davis (2001)"

    • Presentations

  • Abbott, T. (2026). “Lesbian Girlfriends and Bisexual Sluts: Uneven Sexual Agency of Teen Girls in U.S. Scripted Teen Television ” Presented at the Popular Culture Association Popular Culture Association Annual Conference Atlanta, GA
  • Abbott, T. (2026). “Sluts & Girlfriends: New Trends or Old Tropes in U.S. Teen Television” Presented at the International Communication Association 76th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association Cape Town, South Africa
  • Abbott, T. (2025). “Where’s the American Heartstopper? How Production in U.S. Television Affects the Depiction of LGBTQ Youth” Presented at the Popular Culture Association Annual Conference Popular Culture Association Annual Conference New Orleans, LA
  • Abbott, T. (2024). “ Roundtable on Queer TV” Presented at the Popular Culture Association Popular Culture Association Annual Conference Chicago, IL
  • Abbott, T. (2024). “Are Poly Relationships the Last Queer Frontier for Gen Z Television Series?” Presented at the Popular Culture Association Popular Culture Association Annual Conference Chicago, IL
  • Abbott, T. (2023). “Gen Z Sexual & Gender Fluidity in U.S. Scripted Television” Presented at the European Communication and Education Research Association ECREA Television Studies Conference Potsdam, Germany
  • Abbott, T. B. (2023). “Scripted American TV and Authentic Plurisexuality: A Generational Analysis” Presented at the International Communication Association International Communication Association Annual Conference Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Abbott, T. (2023). “Is Euphoria Rewriting or Reaffirming the Meaning of Queer Sexual Exploration in Teen Dramas?” Presented at the Popular Culture Association Association Popular Culture Association Annual Conference San Antonio, TX
  • Steinfield, L., Abbott, T., Cruz, M., Pierre-Louis, K. (2022). “Coping with intersectional oppressions: Consumers‚Äô experience of the neoliberal- imperialist white-supremacist capitalist patriarchy of business schools.” Presented at the The Consumer Culture Theory 2022 Conference Corvallis, OR
  • Abbott, T. (2022). “Bisexual and Sexually Fluid Female Characters on American TV: New Decade, Same Tropes?” Presented at the Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Annual Conference Virtual
  • Abbott, T. (2021). “Mainstream Queer Representations: from Pinkwashing to Queer-coding and Queer-baiting” Presented at the PopMeC Association for US Popular Culture Studies Contemporary Feminism and Gender Studies Virtual (Madrid, Spain)
  • Abbott, T. (2021). “Trans Characters in U.S. Conspiracy Television Thrillers The OA and Sense8” Presented at the Screen Journal Screen Annual Conference Virtual (usually Univ. of Glasgow, Scotland, UK)
  • Abbott, T. (2021). “Pre-Transition Flashbacks: Lessons from OITNB and Transparent"” Presented at the Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Annual Conference Virtual
  • Abbott, T. (2020). “Intersectionality” Presented at the Women's Leadership Program, Gender & Sexuality Programs Office, Bentley University Intersectionality Workshop Virtual
  • Abbott, T. (2020). “Trans Characters in U.S. Conspiracy Television Thrillers The OA and Sense8” Presented at the Screen Journal Screen Annual Conference Univ. of Glasgow, Scotland, UK
  • Abbott, T. (2020). “Pre-Transition Flashbacks: Lessons from OITNB and Transparent"” Presented at the Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Annual Conference Virtual
  • Abbott, T. B. (2019). “Trans Necropolitics in U.S. Television Crime Dramas” Presented at the International Communication Association International Communication Association Annual Conference Washington, D.C.
  • Abbott, T. (2019). “Trans Feminine Sex Workers and TV Crime Drama” Presented at the Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Annual Conference Washington, DC
  • Abbott, T. B. (2019). “The 'Mystery' of Trans Identities: How TV's Most Popular Genres Maintain Transphobic Tropes” Presented at the Bentley University Bentley Research Colloquium Waltham, MA
  • Abbott, T. (2019). “Sociopathic Men in Dresses and Sassy Trans Hookers: Representations of Trans Criminality” Presented at the Valente Center, Bentley University Valente Center Humanities Research Seminar, Intersectionality at the Intersect of Disciplines" Waltham, MA
  • Abbott, T. (2019). “Trans Characters in Conspiracy Television Thrillers The OA and Sense8” Presented at the Society for Cinema & Media Studies Society for Cinema & Media Studies Annual Conference Seattle, WA
  • Pennel, R., Abbott, T., Stuckey, K., Siomopoulos, A., LeDoux, E., Medden, S. (2019). “Teaching Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality Workshop”
  • Steinfield, L., Abbott, T. (2018). “The Study of Gender 101” Presented at the GENMAC ACR's Gender, Marketing and Consumer Behavior Conference Dallas Texas
  • Abbott, T. (2018). “Cisgender Experts and Trans Patients on TV Medical Dramas” Presented at the Console-ing Passions International Conference on Television, Video, Audio, New Media, and Feminism Bournemouth University
  • Abbott, T. (2018). “'Tranny Surprise' vs. 'Tranny Chaser': How TV Trans Characters Remain a Joke” Presented at the International Communication Association International Communication Association Annual Conference Prague, Czech Republic
  • Abbott, T. (2018). “Cisgender Experts and Trans Patients on TV Medical Dramas” Presented at the Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Annual Conference Indianapolis, Indiana
  • Abbott, T. (2018). “Re-Assessing Lear's Legacy in the History of Trans Representations: All That Glitters (1977)” Presented at the Society for Cinema & Media Studies Society for Cinema & Media Studies Annual Conference Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Abbott, T. (2017). “Cisgender/Transgender Romance in Popular Film & Television” Presented at the Bentley University Research Council Faculty Research Showcase Waltham, MA
  • Abbott, T. B. (2017). “Queer Theory: The Classics” Presented at the Bentley University GENMAC (Gender, Marketing and Consumption) Theory and Foundations workshop Waltham, MA
  • Abbott, T. (2017). “Myra‚Äôs Legacy: Cis Partners of Transwomen in Popular Film and Television” Presented at the Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Annual Conference San Diego, California
  • Abbott, T. (2016). “Trans Baby Boom: Documenting the Pregnant Man” Presented at the International Communication Association Annual Conference Fukuoka, Japan
  • Abbott, T. (2016). “Teaching Gender in Introduction to Gender Issues” Presented at the Bentley Office of Diversity and Inclusion Faculty Symposium (Diversity or International Intensive Courses) Waltham, MA
  • Abbott, T. (2016). “Impact of Peer Sexual Harassment on Student Development” Presented at the Center for Women and Business Retaining Women in the Workplace, Waltham, MA
  • Abbott, T. (2016). “Do Transgender Actors resolve ‚ÄòTransface‚Äô Tensions?‚Äù” Presented at the Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Annual Conference Seattle, WA
  • Abbott, T. (2016). “Rape Myths in Popular Culture” Presented at the Office of Gender Equity and Development Bentley Equity Center Educators Equity Center, Bentley University, Waltham, MA
  • Abbott, T. (2015). “The Hunting Ground Post-Screening Panel” Presented at the Office of Gender Equity and Development The Hunting Ground Executive Dining Room, LaCava, Bentley University
  • Abbott, T. (2015). “Engaging with Diversity in the Classroom” Presented at the Office of Diversity and Inclusion New Faculty Orientation Waltham, MA
  • Abbott, T. (2014). “Beyond Beatie: Documenting the Pregnant Man” Presented at the Valente Center for Arts & Sciences Working Seminar Waltham, MA
  • Abbott, T. (2014). “Is Mister Cee Gay? Transpersons, Sexual Identity, and the Primacy of the Phallus.” Presented at the Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Annual Conference Chicago, IL
  • Dayal, S., Abbott, T., Korepanova, E., Sorensen, K. I., Aslinger, B. S. (2013). “Gender, Queerness & Nation” Presented at the Gender Studies Program and LGBTQ@Bentley Faculty Roundtable Bentley University
  • Abbott, T. (2013). “Transgender Protagonists in YA Fiction” Presented at the Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Annual Conference Washington, D.C.
  • Abbott, T. (2012). “Beyond Beatie: Documenting the Pregnant Man” Presented at the Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Annual Conference Boston, MA
  • Abbott, T. (2011). “Teaching Gender Studies Within Freshman Composition” Presented at the National Women‚Äôs Studies Association National Women‚Äôs Studies Association Annual Conference Atlanta, GA
  • Abbott, T. (2011). “Cisgender Privilege: Strategies for the Gender Studies Classroom” Presented at the New England Womens Studies Association New England Womens Studies Association Annual Conference Dartmouth, MA
  • Abbott, T. (2010). “Queerly High: Drug Use as Gender Rebellion in Godspeed and Rose of No Man‚Äôs Land” Presented at the Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Annual Conference St. Louis, MO
  • Abbott, T. (2007). “Transamerica: The Romance Dilemma” Presented at the Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Annual Conference Boston, MA

    • Service

    Service: Department

  • Committee Chair for Research Committee 2024-09-01 - 2025-10-07
  • Committee Member for Evaluation Committee - Present
  • Mentor (Faculty) for EMS Lecturer Mentor 2024-08-15 - Present
  • Committee Member for Curriculum Committee 2022-09-01 - Present
  • Committee Member for Planning Committee 2020-07-07 - 2022-06-29
  • Committee Member for Bentley University English & Media Studies Dept. 2019-09-20 - 2020-03-05
  • Committee Member for Public Relations Committee 2013-12-01 - 2016-07-01
  • Committee Member for Strategic Planning Committee 2012-09-01 - 2013-12-31

    • Service: Professional

  • Conference/Workshop Session Chair for International Communications Association 2017-10-31 - 2018-01-17
  • Committee Member for Popular Culture Association LGBTQ Award for Outstanding Scholarship 2017-05-04 - Present
  • Editorial Review Board Member for Queer Studies in Media & Popular Culture 2014-06-14 - Present
  • Committee Member for New England Women's Studies Association 2013-11-08 - 2017-07-01

    • Service: University

  • Guest Speaker for Bentley Service-Learning & Civic Engagement Center - 2025-10-28
  • Committee Member for Bentley Faculty Senate 09012025 - 12092025
  • Guest Speaker for Bentley Service-Learning & Civic Engagement Center - 2022-11-11
  • Committee Member for AIG: Gender Mix 2022-11-08 - 18-09-2025
  • Guest Speaker for Bentley Undergraduate Admissions - 2023-04-14
  • Guest Speaker for Office of Admissions - 2022-09-17
  • Committee Member for Strategic Planning Access Implementation Group on the Gender Mix - Present
  • Committee Member for Bentley Learning & Teaching Council 2022-06-22 - 24-11-2024
  • Guest Speaker for Bentley Undergraduate Admissions - 2022-04-08
  • Guest Speaker for Bentley Academic Technology Center's Tech Talks - 2021-06-25
  • Conference/Workshop Organizer for Workshop: Here’s What Sexism at Bentley Looks Like – And What Faculty Can Do About It - 2021-05-05
  • Committee Member for #Stonewall50 2019-09-10 - 2019-10-30
  • Interview Committee Member for Assistant Director position for Bentley Office of Diversity & Inclusion - 2019-08-08
  • Reviewer, Journal Article for Fusio: The Bentley Undergraduate Research Journal 2019-06-10 - 2019-07-08
  • Committee Member for Valente Center for Arts & Sciences 2017-09-13 - 10-05-2023
  • Committee Member for Undergraduate Curriculum Advisory Group 2018-01-02 - 2018-06-30
  • Consultant for Bentley University Library Archives Exhibit "Leading and Learning: A Century of Women at Bentley" 2018-03-12 - 2018-04-22
  • Student Organization Advisor for Delta Sigma Pi 2017-03-30 - Present
  • Student Organization Advisor for Women's Leadership Community 2016-09-01 - 2017-05-01
  • Conference/Workshop Organizer for Residence Center/Orientation Program - 2016-08-19
  • Task Force Member for Bentley Brave Planning Community 2016-07-20 - 2017-07-01
  • Student Organization Advisor for Bentley SAGE (Students Advocating Gender Equality) 2016-02-03 - 2017-07-01
  • Committee Member for Thought Leadership Network (TLN) Gender and Leadership 2016-01-20 - 2016-11-15
  • Guest Speaker for International Film Series - 2015-11-10
  • Conference/Workshop Organizer for LGBTQ@Bentley Ally 1 trainings - 2015-10-14
  • Conference/Workshop Organizer for First Week Committee - 2015-09-04
  • Guest Speaker for ALANA Experience - 2015-08-31
  • Program Organizer for Screening of TransJourney - 2015-04-21
  • Conference/Workshop Organizer for Campus Dialog on Race & Inequality 2015-02-04 - 2015-02-05
  • Guest Speaker for Center for International Students and Scholars - 2013-08-28
  • Conference/Workshop Organizer for Residence Life Office - 2013-08-22
  • Committee Member for International Film Series 2012-12-01 - Present
  • Guest Speaker for Valente Center for Arts and Sciences - 2012-10-31
  • Conference/Workshop Organizer for First Week Committee - 2012-08-30
  • Conference/Workshop Organizer for Residence Life Office - 2012-08-23
  • Committee Member for Diversity Council 2011-09-01 - 2017-07-01
  • Committee Chair for LGBTQ@Bentley 2011-09-01 - 2014-05-15
  • Guest Speaker for Center for Internatinal Students and Scholars - 2012-04-10
  • Committee Member for Title IX/Gender Equity Committee 2010-09-01 - 2017-07-01
  • Committee Member for Center for Women and Business Advisory Council 2010-09-01 - 2015-05-30
  • Committee Member for LGBTQ@Bentley 2009-09-01 - 2025-10-28
  • Student Organization Advisor for Bentley Women's Center 2009-09-01 - 2015-09-18