Joseph J. Murray is a Deaf American academic, human rights advocate, and current President of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD). He serves as Professor of Deaf Studies at Gallaudet University and has made significant contributions to deaf history, sign language recognition, and global deaf advocacy throughout a career spanning multiple countries and major international roles.
Early Life and Education
Joseph Murray was born in Connecticut, USA, into a Deaf family. He grew up as a native user of American Sign Language (ASL), nurtured by his Deaf parents, who conveyed a rich Deaf cultural heritage[2].
He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Iowa in 2011. His dissertation examined early international cooperation and identity among Deaf communities[1].
Academic Career
Murray began teaching in the Department of ASL and Deaf Studies at Gallaudet University, later becoming a full professor[2]. His scholarship includes contributions to SAGE’s Encyclopedia of Disability (2005) and authorship of works such as Deaf Gain: Raising the Stakes for Human Diversity (2014) and In Our Own Hands: Essays in Deaf History 1780–1970 (2016)[3][4]. He has also contributed to the Encyclopaedia Britannica on topics related to Deaf history[5].
His research reframes deafness not as a deficit but as a form of human diversity, and his writings have been influential in international disability and linguistic rights discourse[3][4].
Global Advocacy and Roles
Murray’s involvement with the World Federation of the Deaf spans decades: Vice-President of the Youth Section (1995–1999), President of the Youth Section (1999–2003), WFD Council Member (2003–2015), Vice-President (2015–2019), and President since 2019 [2][6]. Since becoming President in 2019, Murray has led the WFD in representing more than 130 national associations at the United Nations and other international bodies[6][8]. His leadership has emphasized inclusive representation, ensuring that two-thirds of WFD staff come from the Global South[8].
Beyond the WFD, he has served on the board of the International Disability Alliance and has been a government-appointed advisor on sign language policy in Norway[7]. He has also participated in international conferences and forums to promote Deaf rights, accessibility, and linguistic equality[8].
Scholarly Contributions
Murray’s academic contributions include co-editing Deaf Gain: Raising the Stakes for Human Diversity (2014) with Dirksen Bauman, which introduced the concept of "Deaf Gain" as a counter-narrative to hearing loss[3]. He also co-edited In Our Own Hands: Essays in Deaf History 1780–1970 (2016), exploring historical aspects of deaf culture[4].
Legacy and Impact
Joseph Murray’s legacy lies in his capacity to merge academic scholarship with advocacy on the world stage. His Deaf Gain framework shifted the conversation from a deficit-based understanding of deafness to one that recognizes its contributions to human diversity. As WFD President, he has navigated the challenges of representing a multilingual, multicultural global community, working to ensure that the organization reflects the diversity it serves.
He has also been a tireless advocate for documenting and preserving Deaf history, believing that such narratives are essential for shaping identity and guiding future generations. By blending rigorous research, policy engagement, and grassroots activism, Murray has influenced both the academic field of Deaf Studies and the broader movement for Deaf human rights. His career serves as a model for integrating scholarly insight with strategic leadership to achieve lasting social change.
- Murray, J. J. (2007). “One touch of nature makes the whole world kin:” The transnational lives of Deaf Americans, 1870–1924. The University of Iowa.
- Joseph J. Murray. (n.d.). Biography. JosephJMurray.org.
- Ohio State University ASL Program. (2019, February 15). Dr. Joseph Murray Presenting “Deaf Gain: Raising the Stakes for Human Diversity”
- Gallaudet University. (n.d.). Joseph J. Murray – Personnel profile.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). Contributor: Joseph J. Murray.
- World Federation of the Deaf. (n.d.). Our Team – Board Members.
- Zero Project Conference 2025. (2025). Participant profile: Joseph Murray.
- Hallett, V. (2024, January 31). Dr. Joseph Murray on running the World Federation of the Deaf. Gallaudet University.
- Daily Moth. (2024, July 8). WFD President Murray on supporting Deaf people in war zones.
