Haley M. Kinsler

PhD Student in Communications, Rhetoric, & Digital Media

I am a PhD student in the Communications, Rhetoric, and Digital Media at North Carolina State University. I have been a three-time student at State, as I received both my B.A. and M.A. degrees in English here, so I am a proud supporter of the pack, and Tompkins Hall has become like a second home to me. Though originally born in Maryland, I have lived in Wake County since 2011 and can confidently say that North Carolina has become home.

I have co-founded two research projects, including the North Carolina Trans and Nonbinary Language Project and the Fourth Ward Oral History Project. Though my work spans a variety of topics, I have a deep interest in the intersection between language and discourse analysis, digital humanities, public history and outreach, and the lives of marginalized people in the South. I approach my work from a scholar-activist framework, hoping to draw on the institutional resources I have been granted access to in pursuit of liberation through active, on-the-ground, engaged, and community-rooted research. Being in community with so many wonderful people in Raleigh and North Carolina has turned graduate student life in an absolute joy for me.

When I am not studying, teaching, or tinkering around on campus, I can often be found working on a car, taking photos at a local garden or arboretum, cooking with my partner, or reading with my wonderful tabby, Clover. I enjoy the DIY ethos that comes with many of my hobbies, and if it sounds like I can get myself elbow deep into an engine bay or play around with some code, I am all in.

Haley's partner, Jon, is pictured standing next to Haley in front of a balloon display at Durham Pride. Haley is pictured laughing with their cat, who is smiling while zipped up into their gray hoodie. Haley is pictured in front of their Toyota Camry holding an alternator. Severl toolsets can be seen on the ground beside them.