Dr James Bell (he/him) is an artist and researcher specialising in queer and trans art, activism, culture, and social histories.

James has a background in education and production in artist-led and contemporary arts organisations. He has working knowledge of and interests in arts education, exhibition making, access and equities, social justice, and social practice in contemporary art. Graduating with a BA (Hons) Time Based Art and an MFA from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, Dundee (2011), James was a committee member of artist-led spaces Generator, Dundee (2011—12), and Rhubaba, Edinburgh (2013—15). He was the Producer (Learning) at Collective, Edinburgh (2013—17), researching, developing and delivering the contemporary art organisation’s learning programme; served on the Board of Baltic Street Adventure Playground, Glasgow (2015—18); and was a youth worker at LGBT Youth Scotland (2021). He has also taught onto the MLitt Curatorial Practice (Contemporary Art) at Glasgow School of Art.