Laura Stephenson

Dr. Laura Stephenson serves as Senior Lecturer in Film and Course Lead for the BA (Hons) Film at the University of Westminster, actively bridging film theory and practice through psychoanalytic frameworks and creative skillsets. She is affiliated with the Communication and Media Research Institute (CAMRI) and leads the 'Screen Futures' diversity initiative.

Trained as a film editor in New Zealand, she completed postgraduate studies at Honours, Masters, and Doctoral levels while working part-time in pre-production roles including development producer, ethics adviser, and festival adjudicator.

Her research spans psychoanalytic trauma studies—applying Lacanian theory with medical frameworks to challenge psychological health binaries—and creative industries equality, examining gender, race, and class barriers. She investigates screen representations of trauma while developing industry Codes of Conduct and the 'Screen Futures' platform to broaden access to film education.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Times Higher Education Awards Finalist: Most Innovative Lecturer (2022)
• Aberystwyth University Winner: Exemplary Course Award (2022)
• Aberystwyth University Winner: Individual Contribution Award (2022)

She supervises doctoral candidates including Xiao Zhang (researching pseudo-feminist motherhood in Chinese women's film) and Zihui Li, with funding secured for 'Screen Futures' aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 10.

As Lead Researcher of 'Screen Futures', she develops an open-access platform (launching July 2024) to demystify film degree applications. She holds Senior Fellowship with the Higher Education Academy and membership in the Royal Television Society and Research Supervisors Network.