Katherine Groo

Katherine Groo is an Associate Professor of Film and Media Studies at Lafayette College, where she emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to visual culture and historical inquiry. Holding a Ph.D. from Cornell University (2009), her research explores early film historiography, archival practices, and the intersection of visual technologies with societal structures. She teaches a wide range of courses integrating hands-on learning, such as filmmaking exercises and archival field trips, while prioritizing equity-focused pedagogy.

Her work challenges traditional canons through projects like Bad Film Histories (2019) and her upcoming Images at the End of the World, which interrogate analog/digital divides and climate-related visual practices. Groo has received prestigious awards including the Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung Fellowship (2021–2022) and actively edits feminist media history publications.

• Education: B.A. Emory University (2002), M.A./Ph.D. Cornell University (2005/2009)
• Research Focus: Early cinema, archival critique, feminist historiography, visual technology's societal impact
• Teaching Philosophy: Non-hierarchical methods, experiential learning, critical analysis of media's role in identity and power

At Lafayette, she values small-class mentorship and collaborates with colleagues in a program prioritizing equity and inclusion. Her courses emphasize comparative thinking, archival engagement, and interdisciplinary dialogue across film, media, and humanities disciplines.