PhD, Politics and Historical Studies New School for Social Research, New York, USA — 2003
MA, Politics and Historical Studies New School for Social Research, New York, USA — 1998
BA, Historical Studies State University of New York, Empire State College, New York, USA — 1996
Additional Education
History and Politics Program Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom — June 2002 – July 2002
Academic & Professional Portfolio
Academic Appointments
Affiliate Faculty Indiana University Bloomington, Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS), Bloomington, United States — August 1, 2017 – Present
Affiliate Faculty Indiana University Bloomington, Brazilian Studies Program (CLACS), Bloomington, United States — August 1, 2017 – Present
Graduate Faculty Member With Endorsement Indiana University Indianapolis, Graduate School, United States — October 27, 2011 – Present
Associate Professor (Tenured/Tenure-Track) Indiana University Indianapolis, Division of Labor Studies, United States — July 1, 2011 – Present
Associate Professor (Tenured/Tenure-Track) Indiana University Indianapolis, Division of Labor Studies, United States — July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2011
Assistant Professor Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, Division of Labor Studies, Indianapolis, United States — August 1, 2003 – May 31, 2010
Instructor New School, Eugene Lang College, New York, United States — August 15, 2001 – May 15, 2002
Instructor Empire State College, Van Arsdale School of Labor Studies, Saratoga Springs, United States — August 10, 1999 – May 15, 2001
Non-Academic Appointments
Benefit Fund Administrator Ironworkers Local 455 Benefits Fund, Welfare Fund, New York, United States — July 1, 1998 – June 30, 2003
Executive Secretary Ironworkers Local Union 455, Administration, New York, United States — September 1, 1992 – June 30, 1998
Mechanic (Ironworker) Ironworkers Local Union 455, New York, United States — September 1, 1987 – September 1, 1992
Completed Teaching Grants and Fellowships
Curriculum Enhancement Grant Center for Teaching and Learning, Indiana University — $5,000 — Co-Principal Investigator — May 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019
New Course: Diversity and Inequality Center for Teaching and Learning, Indiana University — $5,000 — Co-Principal Investigator — March 29, 2019 – June 30, 2020
Teaching Presentations — Invited
Education, Work, and Globalization in Brazil Conference Presentation — Changemaker Publications — 2007
Educação, Tecnologia e Trabalhadores na Luta Pela Igualdade Social Conference Presentation — Secretary of Education, Gravataí, Rio Grande do Sul — 2005
Department Service
Committee Member, Labor Studies Subcommittee for Adjunct Instruction Indiana University Indianapolis, Division of Labor Studies — October 31, 2019 – December 15, 2021
Completed Research Grants and Fellowships
Curriculum Enhancement Grant Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), Indiana University — $5,000 — Co-Principal Investigator — May 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019
New Course: Diversity and Inequality Center for Teaching and Learning, Indiana University — $5,000 — Co-Principal Investigator — March 29, 2019 – June 30, 2020
Research Presentations — Invited
A Storm of Strikes: May Day and the Labor Movement in the United States May Day and Working-Class History — 2025
Public Policy and Wealth Concentration in Brazil in Declining Workers' Rights International Seminary on Public Policy — 2025
Brazil’s Unions and the Election of Lula to the Presidency IU Labor Studies Spring Panel Discussion — 2023
Class and Resistance on the Port of New York 34th Annual North American Labor History Conference, Wayne State University — 2012
Trabalhadores, Novas Perspectivas e Comparações Book Launch Event — Indiana University South Bend — 2012
Trabalhadores, Novas Perspectivas e Comparações State Historical Museum — 2011
Social Justice in Latin America: The Case of Brazil and Argentina National Conference on Social Work Education — 2011
Before We Can Smell the Roses: Health, Conflict, and Working Conditions on the Port of New York (1945–1965) XXVI National History Symposium, University of São Paulo — 2011
Latin American Workers and the Struggle for Justice IUPUI Research Day — 2011
Rebellion on the Port of New York (1945–1960) International Conference on the Study of Strikes and Social Conflict in the 20th Century, Universidade Nova Lisboa — 2011
Directed Learning in Research
Doctoral Dissertation Committee Member Araujo, L. L. — “The Impact of Judicial Policies in the Treatment of Conflict of Interest” — May 15, 2024 – June 26, 2025
Master’s Thesis Committee Member Cordeiro, J. H. — “Neoliberalismo e Gestão do Trabalho no Sistema Único de Saúde” — September 1, 2025 – December 18, 2025
Master’s Thesis Committee Member Silva, T. A. — “In Favor of the Common Good, Under the Sign of Progress: Institutions of Discipline and Social Control in Fortaleza” — September 9, 2024 – October 3, 2024
Master’s Thesis Committee Member Sousa, R. P. — “The Mill Workers Union in Fortaleza: A Women’s View of the Struggle (1990–1992)” — June 10, 2024 – July 3, 2024
Undergraduate Honors Thesis Committee Member Carvalho, L. S. — “Between Progress and the Symbols of Modernity: The Search for Civilization in Viçosa, Ceará (1882–1930)” — May 2, 2024 – May 30, 2024
Undergraduate Honors Thesis Advisor Correia, L. B. — “Feminine Emancipation: The Russian Revolution and the Fight of Women Bolsheviks” — March 1, 2022 – October 16, 2024
Service in Research
Campus Service
Advisor, Independent Research Project (LSTU L495) Indiana University Indianapolis, Labor Studies — Advised independent research project on labor organizing in Gary, Indiana — June 2, 2024 – August 4, 2024
University Service
Affiliated Faculty Member Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS), Indiana University — June 30, 2017 – Present
Other Research Service
Manuscript Reviewer Labor Studies Journal — Manuscript ID LSJ-2025-OM-1217 — August 3, 2025 – November 3, 2025
Department Service
IU Labor Studies–AFL-CIO Advisory Board Leadership, Board Member — Appointed — July 31, 2022 – Present. ~40 hours/year. Develop and participate in activities that reinforce the relationship of the Division of Labor Studies with the Indiana labor movement; organize and develop activities that promote IU-DLS and provide educational support for organized labor in Indiana.
Labor Studies Grade Appeals Committee Committee Member — Elected — February 28, 2020 – December 31, 2020. Review student grade appeal requests.
Labor Studies Adjunct Instructor Review Committee Committee Member — Appointed — January 31, 2020 – December 31, 2020. ~120 hours/year. Review and reorganize hiring and course assignments of adjunct instructors.
Labor Studies Curriculum Committee Committee Member — Elected — March 31, 2019 – December 31, 2021.
IUSSW-LS Grade Appeals Committee Committee Member — Appointed — September 30, 2018 – May 30, 2019. ~25 hours/year. Review and adjudicate student appeals for grade changes.
IUSSW-LS Grade Appeals Committee Committee Member — Appointed — September 30, 2013 – May 31, 2014. ~25 hours/year.
IUSSW-LS Grade Appeals Committee Committee Member — Appointed — September 30, 2012 – May 31, 2013. ~25 hours/year.
IU Kokomo SPEA Search and Screen Committee Committee Member — Appointed — October 31, 2010 – March 31, 2011. ~40 hours/year. Reviewed faculty applications, interviewed candidates, aided selection.
IUSSW-LS Search and Screen Committee Committee Member — Appointed — January 31, 2009 – June 30, 2009. ~70 hours/year. Reviewed applications and identified candidates for Assistant Professor.
IUSSW-LS Search and Screen Committee Committee Member — Appointed — January 31, 2008 – June 30, 2008. ~70 hours/year.
Labor Studies Faculty Leadership Committee Faculty Governance — Elected — April 30, 2005 – May 31, 2007. ~780 hours/year. Organized statewide LS activities; interfaced with IU administration and faculty governance; promoted/enhanced enrollments.
Labor Studies Online Education Co-Coordinator Organizer/Coordinator — Appointed — September 30, 2004 – May 31, 2007. ~200 hours/year. Organized faculty discussion and transition to online education.
Labor Studies Curriculum Committee Committee Chair — Elected — September 30, 2004 – May 31, 2007. ~120 hours/year. Chaired curriculum review, promoted new course development and online transfer.
College/School Service
IUSSW Ad-Hoc Finance Committee Committee Member — Appointed — February 28, 2020 – June 30, 2021. ~58 hours/year. Advisory role to revise the IUSSW budget during COVID-19 to preserve faculty/staff positions.
IUSSW Strategic Planning Subcommittee: Structuring Organizational Systems To Support Faculty And Staff Committee Member — Appointed — January 31, 2020 – June 30, 2020. Contributed to developing systems for faculty & staff support and professional development.
IUSSW Strategic Planning Subcommittee: Supporting And Enhancing Academic Quality Committee Member — Appointed — October 31, 2019 – June 30, 2020. Examined objectives for academic excellence.
IUSSW Sabbatical Committee Committee Member — Appointed — September 30, 2016 – May 31, 2017. ~80 hours/year. Reviewed faculty sabbatical applications.
IUSSW Promotion & Tenure Committee Committee Member — Elected — August 31, 2016 – July 30, 2020. ~240 hours/year. Reviewed tenure and promotion dossiers and third-year review.
IUSSW Sabbatical Committee Committee Member — Appointed — September 30, 2015 – May 31, 2016. ~80 hours/year.
IUSSW Promotion & Tenure Committee Committee Member — Elected — August 31, 2010 – June 30, 2015. ~240 hours/year.
Campus Service
IFC Faculty Governance — Committee Member — Elected — November 1, 2021 – 2025. ~30 hours/year. At-large member of IUPUI IFC.
IUPUI Faculty Council Board of Review Board Member — Elected — February 1, 2021 – Present (term Feb 2021 – Jan 2023 noted). Served on board review.
IU IFC At-Large Member — January 1, 2019 – 2025. ~40 hours/year. Member of IU Campus Faculty Council.
IUPUI Promotion & Tenure Committee Committee Member — Elected — August 31, 2014 – June 30, 2015. ~120 hours/year.
IUPUI Promotion & Tenure Committee Committee Member — Elected — August 31, 2013 – June 30, 2014. ~120 hours/year.
IU Kokomo Vice Chancellor Search and Screen Committee Committee Member — Appointed — November 30, 2010 – April 30, 2011. ~40 hours/year.
American Democracy Project – IU Kokomo Committee Member — Appointed — August 31, 2004 – May 31, 2005. ~80 hours/year. Organized year-long campus activities on democracy.
University Service
Brazilian Studies Program Affiliated Faculty Member — Appointed — June 30, 2017 – Present. ~25 hours/year. Support research and scholarship on Latin America.
Professional Service
Local Service
Howard County Central Labor Council Educational Advisor — Appointed (Pro Bono) — September 30, 2003 – May 31, 2011. ~52 hours/year. Provided labor education and training; participated in monthly council meetings.
National Service
Labor Studies Journal Manuscript Reviewer — February 12, 2023 – May 15, 2023; also reviewed (Sept–Oct 2024). Peer review of submitted manuscripts (e.g., LSJ-2024-OM-1065).
American Political Science Review Reviewer — Appointed (Pro Bono) — August 31, 2022 – October 31, 2022. ~40 hours/year.
Journal of Working Class Studies Reviewer — Appointed — May 2, 2021 – August 15, 2021. ~30 hours/year.
Working-Class Studies Association Steering Committee Member — Elected — August 1, 2019 – July 31, 2022. Chaired the association's election committee.
Advances in Social Work Reviewer — Appointed — March 31, 2019; previous reviews in 2013. Peer reviewer for submissions.
Journal Anthropology Of Work Reviewer — Appointed — May 31, 2016. ~20 hours/year.
Journal Of American Historians Reviewer — Appointed — September 30, 2015. ~10 hours/year.
PS: Political Science & Politics Reviewer — Appointed — May 31, 2013. ~15 hours/year.
Civil Society In A Comparative Perspective Peer Review Of Book Chapter — Appointed — November 30, 2010. ~20 hours/year.
Journal Nature, Society And Thought Reviewer — Appointed — April 30, 2009. ~12 hours/year.
International Service
UNIRIO Postdoctoral Research Project Advisor — June 3, 2024 – Present. Supervision of Dr. Leone de Sousa Campos on right-wing political movements in Brazil and the U.S.
State University Of Ceará – Undergraduate Thesis Advising Advisor — January 2, 2024 – December 18, 2024.
Science & Society Reviewer — Appointed — August 15, 2021 – October 1, 2021. ~40 hours/year. Reviewed manuscript on Venezuela.
Journal História E Culturas / Revista História E Culturas Editorial Review Board Member — Appointed — January 31, 2012 – Present. Peer review as needed.
CAPES – Programa De Cooperação Internacional Ad Hoc Reviewer — Appointed — March 31, 2016. ~80 hours/year. Reviewed postdoctoral grant proposals.
III International Conference On History, Memory, Culture And The Oral Tradition Scientific Committee Member / Conference Organization — Appointed — August 31, 2016 – October 31, 2016. ~240 hours/year. Reviewed and approved panel/paper proposals.
Revista Vozes, Pretérito E Devir Reviewer — Appointed — June 30, 2013. ~16 hours/year.
Revista Centúrias Manuscript Peer Reviewer — June 12, 2024 – August 15, 2024. Reviewed “Charming Leaders and Enchanted People on Niccolò Machiavelli's Work.”
Other Service
Media Interviews and Public Commentary Multiple radio and newspaper interviews on labor, inequality, and labor education (selected items dated 2003–2014 and ongoing).
Directed Learning In Service
Master’s Thesis Committee Member Silva De Araujo, C. — “Os Significados Do 'Quaebra Pau Do Pacheco' Nas Narrativas Dos Trabalhadores Migrantes Da Construção De Brasília - 1959” — July 1, 2018 – September 20, 2018.
Master’s Thesis Committee Member Barros, B. — “A Protagonista É AIDS - Representações E Estigmas Da Nova Síndrome” — July 10, 2017 – August 17, 2017.
Doctoral Dissertation Committee Member Galvão, N. — “Experiências Dos Trabalhadores Portuários Da Cidade De Fortaleza: Entre Mutualismo E Sindicalismo (1912–1933)” — June 12, 2017 – November 20, 2017.
Doctoral Qualifying Exams Committee Member Galvão, N. — March 31, 2016 – June 30, 2016. PhD program in History, Federal University of Pernambuco.
Doctoral Dissertation Committee Member Candido, T. — “Proletários Da Seca: Arranjos E Desarranjos Nas Fronteiras Do Trabalho (1877–1919)” — July 31, 2014 – August 31, 2014.
Master’s Thesis Committee Member Oliveira, A. — “Representações Da Passagem Da Coluna Prestes No Sertão Cearense” — May 31, 2011 – June 30, 2011.
Master’s Thesis Committee Member Barros, L. — “Nas Trilhas De Um Guerreiro, Visão Do Mundo E Luta De Um Trabalhador” — April 30, 2010 – May 31, 2010.
Master’s Thesis Committee Member Goes Morais, A. F. — “A Mãe Dos Pobres: A Mulher Na Política Cearense” — March 31, 2010 – April 30, 2010.
Master’s Thesis Committee Member Sousa, S. — “Soldados De Deus E Da Pátria: Entre Práticas Cotidianas E A Construção Da Memória Integralista Na Cidade De Barbalha (1933–1950)” — May 31, 2009 – June 30, 2009.
Master’s Thesis Committee Member Costa, H. — “Eleição E Tapeação: A Luta Armada É A Solução...” — May 31, 2009 – June 30, 2009.
Master’s Thesis Committee Member Santos, B. — “Trabalhadores Cearenses Uni-vos! O Pacto Intersindical Em Fortaleza (1957–1964)” — May 31, 2009 – June 30, 2009.
Teaching
Workers, Education, and Social Change in Brazil Advances in Social Work — 2013
Educação, tecnologia e o mundo do trabalho In Educação no Tempo Presente: Práticas e Reflexões — 2007
Research/Creative Activity — Refereed Articles
Mello, W. (2021). Poverty and politics: Bolsonaro, neoliberalism’s authoritarian alternative and the ongoing assault on democracy in Brazil. Nonsite — 2021.
Mello, W. J. (2020). Dockworker power: Race and activism in Durban and the San Francisco Bay Area. Journal of American History, 106(4), 1132–1133. doi:10.1093/jahist/jaz817 — 2020.
Chaves, C., & Mello, W. (2019). Notas sobre um político integralista e sua adesão ao Partido Social Democrata (PSD) no interior do Ceará (1930–1945). Historiar, 10(19) — 2019.
Mello, W. (2018). Victor Arnautoff and the politics of art. Journal of American History, 105(2), 426–427. doi:10.1093/jahist/jay218 — 2018.
Mello, W. (2018). Class struggle in Brazil: The neoliberal coup, an attack on workers and the poor. Nonsite — 2018.
Mello, W., & Bessa, T. (2018). História, oralidade e os mundos do trabalho: Notas sobre trabalhadores na carnaúba no Ceará—passado e presente. História e Culturas, 7 — 2018.
Mello, W. (2016). Challenging social inequality. Enterprise and Society, 17(2) — 2016.
Mello, W., & Muniz, A. (2016). Class struggle in Brazil: Who will defend the working class? Nonsite — 2016.
Mello, W. J. (2013). A renegade union: Interracial organizing and labor radicalism. American Historical Review, 118(5), 1548. doi:10.1093/ahr/118.5.1548 — 2013.
Dibie, R., Mello, W., & Benitez, G. (2011). The social impact of environmental health policy in Brazil. International Review of Politics and Development, 9(1) — 2011.
Mello, W. (2009). Strikes on the Port of New York, 1945–1960. Unknown Journal, 559–576 — 2009.
Mello, W. (2007). Dockers news and the struggle for democratic unionism on the Port of New York, 1949–1986. Nature, Society and Thought, 20(2), 133–160 — 2007.
Mello, W. (2005). Robert W. Cherny, William Issel, and Kieran Walsh Taylor (eds.). American labor and the Cold War: Grassroots politics and postwar political culture. International Labor and Working-Class History, 67, 177–181 — 2005.
Mello, W. (2002). The legacy of Pete Panto and the Brooklyn rank-and-file committee. Italian American Review, 9(1) — 2002.
Research/Creative Activity — Non-Refereed
Mello, W. (2016). Challenging social inequality: The Landless Rural Workers Movement and agrarian reform in Brazil. Enterprise & Society, 17(2), 444–446 — 2016.
Mello, W. (2011). Monongah remembered. Italian American Review, 1(2), 206–207 — 2011.
Mello, W. J. (2011). Reviews of William J. Mello, New York Longshoremen: Class and Power on the Docks. International Journal of Maritime History, 23(1), 293–331 — 2011.
Mello, W. (2008). Book review: Unions, communities and the 1984–5 miners strike. Science & Society, 72(1), 118–121 — 2008.
Mello, W. J. (2007). Waterfront revolts: New York and London dockworkers, 1946–61. Science & Society, 71(1), 126–128 — 2007.
Books
Mello, W., Zilda, L., Altemar, M., & Siqueira, S. (2019). História, memória, culturas e oralidade (Vol. III). State University of Ceará Press — 2019.
Mello, W., Menezes Lima, Z., & Muniz, A. (2016). História, memória, cultura e oralidade (Vol. II). State University of Ceará Press — 2016.
Mello, W. (2016). Legionários, “galinhas verdes” e a política no Ceará. State University of Ceará Press — 2016.
Mello, W., Menezes Lima, Z., & Muniz, A. (2014). História, memória, cultura e oralidade (Vol. I). State University of Ceará Press — 2014.
Mello, W., & Iverson, M. (2010). Trabalhadores, novas perspectivas e comparações. State University of Ceará Press — 2010.
Mello, W. J. (2010). New York Longshoremen: Class and Power on the Docks. University Press of Florida — 2010.
Chapters
Políticas públicas e internacionalização do conhecimento. EdUECE — 2024.
Mello, W., & Muniz, A. (2019). Ecos de outubro: Notas sobre a influência da Revolução Russa nos Estados Unidos (1917–1935). In Olhares contemporâneos da Revolução Russa (pp. 122–156). State University of Ceará Press — 2019.
Mello, W. (2019). New York dockworkers: Mechanization and power. In História, memória, culturas e oralidade (Vol. III, pp. 39–85). State University of Ceará Press — 2019.
Mello, W. (2016). A Legião Cearense do Trabalho, o Integralismo e os Trabalhadores Cearenses (1931–1937). In Legionários, “Galinhas Verdes” e a Política no Ceará (pp. 51–72). State University of Ceará Press — 2016.
Mello, W. (2016). Poder, classe e raça na luta sindical: A greve dos portuários de Nova York, 1945. In História, Memória, Cultura e Oralidade (Vol. II, pp. 37–62). State University of Ceará Press — 2016.
Dibie, R., Mello, W., & Benitez, G. (2014). Environmental health policy in Brazil. In R. Dibie (Ed.), Comparative Perspectives on Environmental Policies and Issues (Vol. 4, pp. 303–328). Routledge — 2014.
Mello, W. (2008). Civil society in contemporary Brazil. In Civil Society in a Comparative Perspective (pp. 45–63). Lexington Books — 2008.
Other
Mello, W. (2023). Harry Bridges: Labor radical, labor legend. Western Historical Quarterly, 54(4), 350–351 — 2023.
Mello, W. (2022). Life lessons from the class struggle. In Labor Under Siege: An Oral History. New York Labor History Association — 2022.
Mello, W. (2021). Book preface. Editora Autógrafo — 2021.
Mello, W. (2018). Dossier: The world of work. State University of Ceará Press — 2018.
Mello, W. (2011). Peter Argentine, Monongah Remembered. John D. Calandra Italian American Institute — 2011.
Mishler, P. C., & Mello, W. (1998). The lost world of Italian-American radicalism: Labor, politics, and culture. In International Labor and Working-Class History, 53, 198–200 — 1998.
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