Professor Theodore S. Gonzalves' areas of scholarly interest include: Filipino/American cultures, histories, and 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, Santa Clara University, and the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. Gonzalves also lectured at the Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City, Philippines, in the department of English.

Professor Gonzalves is the author and editor of several publications. His books include:

• Stage Presence: Conversations with Filipino American Performing Artists (Meritage Press, 2007)
• The Day the Dancers Stayed: Performing in the Filipino/American Diaspora (Temple University Press, 2009)
• Filipinos in Hawai'i [with Roderick N. Labrador] (Arcadia Publishers, 2011)
• Carlos Villa and the Integrity of Spaces (Meritage Press, 2011)

In the field of performing arts, Gonzalves served on the board of directors for Kumu Kahua Theatre in Honolulu, and on the advisory board for Bindlestiff Studio. Gonzalves co-founded Jeepney Dash Records, an artist-run recording label; played keyboards for Bobby Banduria; and served as 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.