Erika Engstrom

Erika Engstrom is a Professor and Director of the School of Journalism and Media at the University of Kentucky's College of Communication and Information (CI). She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Florida (1991). Her research focuses on media representation of gender, religion, LGBTQ+ identities, and horror genres in television and film. Engstrom has contributed to interdisciplinary studies, including queer theory in comedy and feminist critiques of cinematic frameworks.

• Education: Doctor of Philosophy, University of Florida (1991)

Her work examines intersections between media narratives and societal constructs, with recent studies analyzing horror TV's portrayal of faith, gender nonconformity in modern comedy, and feminist critiques of film like Blade Runner 2049. Engstrom has been recognized with the AEJMC's Top Faculty Paper Award in Religion and Media (2009 and 2018). She oversees undergraduate research initiatives and directs CI's academic programs, contributing to the Pence Hall Project's development of modern academic spaces.

• Key Research Themes: Media Ethics, Queer Representation, Religious Media, Genre Analysis

Engstrom's scholarly output spans peer-reviewed articles, books, and encyclopedic entries, reflecting her commitment to advancing media literacy and critical analysis across disciplines.