Christopher Peterson's research focuses on 19th and 20th century American literature; race, gender, and sexuality studies; kinship studies; and critical understandings of the human/animal relationship (posthumanism). He is also well-versed in literary theory and continental philosophy (especially Derrida and deconstruction). He’s published three books—Bestial Traces: Race, Sexuality, Animality; Kindred Specters: Death, Mourning, and American Affinity; and Monkey Trouble: The Scandal of Posthumanism—as well as numerous well-regarded articles on literature and film.