Elisha Lim

Bio

Elisha Lim is a distinguished scholar, artist, and graphic novelist based in Toronto. As a postdoctoral fellow, they worked with Desmond Upton Patton, Ph.D., on research focusing on the intersection of social media, AI, and race. This collaboration aimed to develop culturally nuanced algorithms to better understand and mitigate violence and trauma expressed on social media.

Currently, Lim is an assistant professor at York University in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, where their research intersects social media, theology, and critical race theory. Lim’s artistic journey is marked by their advocacy for the use of the gender-neutral pronoun “they” and their commitment to portraying the beauty, dignity, and power of being neither straight, white, nor cis-gendered. Their work includes the acclaimed graphic novel “100 Butches” and the upcoming “7 Dreams About You.”

In addition to their graphic novels, Lim has created various comic strips and self-published works. Their art practice often involves creating portraits of marginal subcultures, incorporating anecdotes or captions in the subjects’ own words. Lim’s scholarly contributions include writings on algorithms and identity economics, with their work documented by prestigious publishers. They are also an award-winning claymation filmmaker, with their queer and transgender films receiving significant recognition. Beyond their academic and artistic endeavors, Lim is an active organizer and co-founder of events in Toronto that promote queer and trans people of color. Their personal and professional life is deeply influenced by their experiences and commitment to anti-racist activism.