William Mello

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.