In 1998, Bowleg began her academic career at the University of Rhode Island where she conducted and supervised research on HIV/AIDS prevention, LGBTQ issues, women of color and body image, and the various social identities experienced by Black, LGBTQ, and transgendered men and women. In 1999 she was the fourth ever recipient of the Louise Kidder Early Career Award. From 2004 to 2006 Bowleg was an assistant professor at the University of Rhode Island.
