Sarah Mae Fleming

Sarah Mae Fleming is a Film Lecturer in the Department of Communication Arts at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She holds an M.A. with Distinction in Communication Arts (2023) and a B.A. in English and Film Studies from Rhode Island College (2019). Her research focuses on sound, music, and narrative in film, with particular attention to punk rock filmmaking, horror/sci-fi genres, and the impact of technological changes on television production. She has taught courses such as CA 313 (Horror Films) and CA 100 (Introduction to Speech Composition), which was recognized as a top UW Madison summer course in 2024.

Her recent work explores cognitive challenges in puzzle films, queer representation in contemporary cinema, and the historical preservation of punk culture through archives like Hate5six. She has presented at major conferences including The Hollywood Conference (2025), SCMS, and MaMI, addressing topics ranging from SNL’s digital transformation to the sonic aesthetics of films like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

• Research Interests: Sound design, genre studies, media technology, archival preservation, queer cinema, and narrative cognition.
• Awards: 2023 Student Research Grant, Robert J. Wickhem Award in Media Production, and 2022 Sharon Sites Award.
• Service: Submissions Editor for The Velvet Light Trap (2025–2026), Editorial Board Member since 2022, and former GSO Representative.