William Given

“What excites me most is having the opportunity to continue working with our scholars to help them discover and amplify their unique voices at UC San Diego to affect positive change in the world.”

Why did you choose your field? Why should students consider studying the arts and humanities?

“I chose my field because I do believe words have the power to change the world in which we live, and I want our scholars at UC San Diego to know that their words—their voices—have value. I wholeheartedly believe all students should consider studying the arts and humanities because it can help them view problems they may encounter, no matter what their field of study, in creative and unique ways. In my time at Apple, we actively sought those individuals who could ‘think different’ and view challenges from multiple perspectives to discover innovative solutions to problems.”

What research or project are you working on currently?

“I am currently interested in the roles we cast learners into, and how the very label of ‘student’ can work to undermine one’s own agency in the classroom. I am examining how we, as educators, can help our learners transition into the role of ‘scholars’ in order to empower their own unique voices so we can create a more inclusive classroom.”

What’s your favorite class to teach and why?

“My favorite classes to teach are our AWP classes. In the Analytical Writing Program, our faculty work to help students find the value in their voices as scholars and be able to clearly communicate their ideas to others. I love seeing our scholars discover that writing is not about passive performativity, i.e., writing what they believe one simply wants to hear, but rather about developing and sharing their own unique voices with the world.”

What is something about yourself that is not typically included in your bio?

“As a fencer, I once went up against a five-time Olympian in a national tournament. It did not go well for me.”

Will Given is proud to say he has been a member of the UC San Diego arts and humanities community since the day he first stepped onto our campus as an undergraduate (back when ERC was still known as “Fifth College”). A first-gen college student, Given earned a bachelor’s degree in literatures in English and a Ph.D. in theatre and drama from UC San Diego.

Given’s research focuses on the spectator/performer dynamic in the construction of realities. He has published his work in the “Oxford Handbook of Dance and Theatre” for Oxford University Press and in the book “Horror Literature and Dark Fantasy: Challenging Genres.” Given has also served as an editor for the academic journal, Renaissance Papers.

Before becoming a faculty member at UC San Diego, Given had a successful career in business working as a manager for Fortune 100 companies, including Apple.

As an artist, Given is a photographer specializing in black and white film. He has had the opportunity to photograph actors, musicians, politicians and even astronauts. His work has been featured in “The New York Times” and in gallery exhibitions.

Given is an active screenwriter and playwright. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America and his play, “An Evening with Will & The Witch,” premiered at the La Jolla Playhouse. Given has served as a screenwriting judge for the Austin Film Festival and the Catalina Film Festival. He has most recently written for Netflix.