Octavian E. Robinson is an American Deaf scholar and historian specializing in Deaf history, disability studies, language ideologies, and the intersections of race, gender, and disability. He is recognized for co-developing the concept of “Crip Linguistics,” a framework that challenges ableist language norms and advocates for inclusive communication practices.
Early Life and Education
Robinson earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from Gallaudet University, followed by a Master of Arts in Deaf Studies at the same institution[1]. He later obtained a Ph.D. in History from The Ohio State University, where he combined training in women’s, gender, sexuality, and African-American histories with his research in Deaf and disability studies[1].
Academic Career
Before joining Ohio State University, Robinson built an academic portfolio that integrated interdisciplinary approaches to the study of Deaf communities, language attitudes, and the politics of identity. His research examines historical and contemporary issues affecting Deaf people, including ableism, access, and the representation of disability[1].
At Ohio State, Robinson leads research initiatives in the Center for ASL and Deaf Equity, focusing on linguistic justice and the dismantling of structural barriers in communication[1].
Crip Linguistics
Alongside collaborator Jon Henner, Robinson co-developed the concept of “Crip Linguistics” [2]. This critical framework interrogates how language reflects and perpetuates ableism, challenges normative linguistic practices, and advocates for the legitimacy of diverse modes of expression within Deaf and disabled communities. Their work underscores the need to dismantle linguistic hierarchies that marginalize non-standard forms of communication[2].
Research
Robinson’s scholarship covers a wide range of topics, including Crip Linguistics, disability and language ideologies, intercultural and disability competencies in sign language teaching, queer and trans studies, and communication equity[1].
Public Engagement
Beyond academia, Robinson is an active public intellectual addressing issues of Deaf and disability justice. His lecture The Right To Be Deaf, delivered at Northeastern University in 2021, explored the radical embrace of Deaf ways of being and languaging, framed within contemporary social and political contexts such as the Black Lives Matter movement, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2020 U.S. elections[3]..
- The Ohio State University. (n.d.). Octavian E. Robinson.
- Oliver, A. (2023, October 18). Octavian Robinson spreads the word about Crip Linguistics. Gallaudet News.
- Northeastern University. (2021, November 2). The Right To Be Deaf.
- Google Scholar. (n.d.). Octavian E. Robinson.
