About
Claudrena N. Harold is the Edward Stettinius Professor of History and Associate Dean for the Social Sciences at the University of Virginia, affiliated with the Department of African American and African Studies and the Department of History within the College of Arts & Sciences. She is a leading scholar in African-American history, with a focus on black student activism, labor, music, and racial justice.
Research Interests: Her work centers on African-American history, particularly the Civil Rights and post-Civil Rights eras, the Jim Crow South, black political movements, gospel and hip-hop music, and the intersection of race and incarceration. She explores how cultural expression and grassroots activism have shaped African American identity and resistance.
Her recent publications and films reflect a strong interdisciplinary approach, blending history, cultural studies, and media. The themes across her work include racial inequity, institutional memory, black cultural production, and the legacy of protest. She frequently collaborates with artist Kevin Jerome Everson on films that document overlooked histories of Black life and resistance, especially at the University of Virginia.
Scientific Awards and Recognition:
- Films screened at Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale)
- Films screened at Whitney Museum Biennial
- Nominated for Ammodo Tiger Short Competition at International Film Festival Rotterdam
- Jury Prize at Oberhausen and Vienna Shorts Film Festivals
- Special Mention at Filmadrid International Film Festival
- Screenings at National Gallery of Art, New York Film Festival, and Edinburgh International Film Festival
She has advised and mentored students through her courses and research projects on black activism, music, and social justice. While specific grant details are not mentioned, her co-edited volumes and film productions suggest significant scholarly and creative funding support. She has also contributed to public scholarship through accessible publications like the Oxford Research Encyclopedia of American History.
Labs and Teams: Claudrena Harold collaborates extensively with filmmaker Kevin Jerome Everson on a series of short films that blend historical research with cinematic storytelling. This artistic-scholarly partnership functions as a creative research lab, producing works that have been exhibited internationally and contribute to the public understanding of African American history.
