Bridget Kies

Bridget Kies serves as Associate Professor of Film Studies and Production in Oakland University's Department of English, Creative Writing, and Film, with affiliated faculty status in the Women and Gender Studies Program. Her research centers on LGBTQ identities, masculinities, and fan communities across film and television history, with particular focus on queer representation and audience reception.

Her academic credentials include a BA in French from Lake Forest College, an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts and Media from Columbia College Chicago, and an MA/PhD in Cinema, Media, and Digital Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Prof. Kies' scholarly contributions examine transgenerational fandom dynamics (as co-editor of Fandom, the Next Generation), queer masculinities in 1980s television, and the cultural legacy of shows like Murder, She Wrote. Her work appears in leading journals including Television & New Media and Feminist Media Histories, where she analyzes how media reboots, revivals, and digital platforms reshape audience identities and community formation.

Recent publications (2018-2023) reveal consistent thematic threads: LGBTQ representation in television history, fan studies methodologies, and inclusive pedagogy. Her editorial leadership in special issues on Universal Design for Learning demonstrates commitment to accessible media education, while articles on 'Mean Tweets' and 'Mr. Moms' sitcoms showcase her ability to connect contemporary digital culture with historical media analysis.

As an educator, Prof. Kies teaches foundational film courses alongside specialized offerings in gender/sexuality studies and study abroad programs. She maintains an open-door policy for LGBTIQA+ students and contributes to campus diversity initiatives through her Women and Gender Studies affiliation. Her current book projects continue to bridge historical television analysis with contemporary queer and fan studies frameworks.