Born in Houston, Ragan Fox is a multifaceted artist and academic who has left an indelible mark on the realms of poetry, performance, and communication studies. Armed with a BS and MA from the University of Texas at Austin and a PhD in Communication from Arizona State University, Fox is the creative force behind poetry collections such as “Exile in Gayville” (2009) and “Heterophobia” (2005). Poet Patricia Smith lauded “Exile in Gayville” for its “poems unerring in their ferocity and their truths.”
Fox’s performance poetry serves as a powerful exploration of identity politics and the intricate dynamics of human connection. Using autobiography as a lens, he delves into the narratives of cultural others, recognizing the imperative role of marginalized voices in shaping literary and historical canons.
A seasoned poet, Fox clinched the third-place position in the 2005 National Poetry Slam and contributed to the Austin Poetry Slam team. His work has found its way into anthologies like “Freedom to Speak” (2003) and “In Our Own Words Volume 3” (2000). Fox has graced iconic venues such as the Nuyorican Poets Café and the Bowery Poetry Club with his compelling performances.
Beyond poetry, Fox ventured into the auditory realm with his weekly podcast, “Fox and the City,” earning the 2006 Best Local Podcast award from the Phoenix New Times during its tenure on Sirius Radio.
Currently a professor of communication studies at California State University, Long Beach, Fox resides in Los Angeles, where he continues to intertwine his passion for poetry, performance, and scholarly exploration, leaving an enduring impact on multiple facets of the creative and academic spheres.
His academic pursuits in performance studies have yielded publications in journals like Text and Performance Quarterly, Journal of Homosexuality, and Qualitative Inquiry. Ragan was also a contestant on the hit reality television series, Big Brother (Season 12).
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