Ava L.J. Kim is the 2022-2023 Chancellor's Postdoctoral Research Associate in Trans Studies at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. In July of 2023, she will begin an appointment as Assistant Professor of Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies at the University of California, Davis. Ava completed her PhD in English at the University of Pennsylvania and her BA in Creative Writing at Macalester College. Her work can be found in the journal, American Studies, and is forthcoming in TSQ and About Face: Stonewall, Revolt, and New Queer Art.

At Penn, Ava was a co-founder and co-coordinator of the Trans Literacy Project. She previously served as the Graduate Coordinator of the Mellon Mays Fellowship program at Bryn Mawr College, co-coordinator of the Gender and Sexuality Studies Reading Group, co-director of the Queer Urgencies Conference, and SASgov (School of Arts and Sciences Government) Representative. Her previous work experience includes managing national funds for supportive housing at Community Solutions and as an API People's Solidarity Organizer at the Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence (CAAAV) in New York City.