Professor Theodore S. Gonzalves’ areas of scholarly interest include: Filipino/American cultures, histories & politics; U.S-Philippine relations; ethnic and cultural studies; cultural nationalisms and the performing arts. He studied at Santa Clara University (BA Political Science), San Francisco State University (MA Political Science), and at the University of California at Irvine (PhD Comparative Culture).

Professor Gonzalves has taught college and university courses since 1991 at the following institutions: the University of California (Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, and Los Angeles), the California State University (Sacramento, San Francisco, and San Jose), Pomona College, and Santa Clara University. Gonzalves also lectured at the Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City, Philippines, in the department of English. In addition to teaching in the Department of American Studies at UH Manoa, Gonzalves cross-lists courses with the Department of Ethnic Studies; he is also affiliated with the Center for Philippine Studies and the International Cultural Studies Program.

Professor Gonzalves is the author of The Day the Dancers Stayed: Performing in the Filipino/American Diaspora (Temple University Press, 2009). He edited Stage Presence: Conversations with Filipino American Performing Artists (Meritage Press, 2007), and is currently working on an artist monograph on the work of painter and educator Carlos Villa. Gonzalves is on the editorial board for the Journal of Transpacific American Studies.

In the field of performing arts, Gonzalves serves on the board of directors for Kumu Kahua Theatre in Honolulu. He has also served on the advisory board for Bindlestiff Studio, a San Francisco performing arts venue; co-founder of Jeepney Dash Records, an artist-run recording label; keyboardist for the Legendary Bobby Banduria; and musical director for "tongue in A mood" Theatre. Gonzalves' musical work has been featured at concerts such as the Asian American Jazz Festival and theater & music festivals at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. He has also written, produced and performed several scores for independent film projects.

Gonzalves has received a Meet the Composer Award, was named a Visiting Artist and Scholar at the American Academy in Rome, a Moeson Fellow at the Library of Congress, and traveled to the Philippines as a Fulbright Senior Scholar.