Syracuse University Appoints Expert in Afrofuturism as Newest University Professor

Strategic Insights -

Syracuse University has announced the appointment of Isiah Lavender III as its newest University Professor, a position that reflects his interdisciplinary research in 20th-century literature, science fiction, and Afrofuturism. Lavender's work explores the intersection of Black identity, culture, and history with speculative futures, alternate realities, and imaginative technologies. His expertise in Afrofuturism, which examines the past, present, and future through science fiction, fantasy, and historical fiction, has made him a prominent figure in the field.

Key Takeaways:

  • Isiah Lavender III is the newest University Professor at Syracuse University, with a tenured appointment in the College of Arts and Sciences and affiliate faculty member in the Department of English.
  • Lavender's research focuses on Afrofuturism, which explores the intersection of Black identity, culture, and history with science fiction, fantasy, and historical fiction.
  • He challenges the view of Afrofuturism as a contemporary movement tied to modern technology and science fiction, arguing that it has existed for centuries in Black literature.
  • Lavender's work employs an approach he calls "future past," examining "science fictional Blackness," which explores how Black identity, culture, and history intersect with speculative futures and alternate realities.
  • His notable books include "Afrofuturism Rising: The Literary Prehistory of a Movement" (2019), "Literary Afrofuturism in the Twenty-First Century" (co-edited, 2020), and "The Routledge Handbook of CoFuturisms" (co-edited, 2023).
  • Lavender is an editor for Extrapolation, an academic journal covering speculative fiction, and is currently working on a new book, "Race, Law and Speculative Fictions—Future Pasts," due in June 2026.
  • He plans to teach a spring semester class on race in science fiction and is working with Will Slocombe of the University of Liverpool on another book, "Survival Mode: Anticipating Social Problems through Science Fiction."
  • Lavender also aims to create a science fiction working group with the Central New York Humanities Corridor and explore the John A. Williams papers at the Special Collections Research Center at Bird Library.

Statistics:

  • Isiah Lavender III has authored several books, including "Afrofuturism Rising: The Literary Prehistory of a Movement" (2019) and "The Routledge Handbook of CoFuturisms" (co-edited, 2023).
  • Lavender is an editor for Extrapolation, an academic journal covering speculative fiction.
  • His new book, "Race, Law and Speculative Fictions—Future Pasts," is due in June 2026.
  • He has a tenured appointment in the College of Arts and Sciences and is an affiliate faculty member in the Department of English.

Sources:

  • "Sci-Fi, Afrofuturism Expert, Author Named Newest University Professor" (Syracuse University news article, September 8, 2025)
  • "Black to the Future" (South Atlantic Quarterly, 1993)
  • "Afrofuturism Rising: The Literary Prehistory of a Movement" (2019)
  • "Literary Afrofuturism in the Twenty-First Century" (co-edited, 2020)
  • "The Routledge Handbook of CoFuturisms" (co-edited, 2023)
  • https://news.syr.edu/blog/2025/09/08/sci-fi-afrofuturism-expert-author-named-newest-university-professor/