Find Academic Supervisors

Lucía Montás is a Senior Lecturer of Spanish in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at the University of New Hampshire's College of Liberal Arts. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Hispanic Studies from the University of Kentucky, an M.A. in Spanish Literature from the University of Florida, and a B.A. in Spanish from the University of Florida. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on contemporary Latin American literature with emphasis on Caribbean women writers, urban cultural studies, and gender studies. Her dissertation examined representations of Santo Domingo in narratives by Dominican female writers, analyzing themes of gentrification, violence, memory, and social inequality. Current projects explore works by Latin American women writers from Nicaragua and Colombia. Montás has published in peer-reviewed journals including Cuadrivium and Voces del Caribe. Her scholarship examines how women writers reimagine urban spaces and express social criticism through literary representations of city life. Awards: AILCFH Graduate Student Travel Scholarship (2017) Teacher Who Made a Difference Award, University of Kentucky (2017) LTJ Fellowship (2013-2015) First Year Teaching Assistant Award (2015) She teaches courses spanning language instruction to cultural studies, including Hispanic Cultural Studies, Latin American Culture & Civilization, and Spanish for Business Professionals. She serves on departmental committees including the Advising and Retention Committee.

• Caribbean Literature
• Latin American Literature
• Urban Cultural Studies
• +3 more

Kathryn McKee is the Center Director and McMullan Professor of Southern Studies as well as Professor of English at the University of Mississippi. Her academic roles emphasize interdisciplinary scholarship bridging literature, film, and cultural studies. She holds a Ph.D. in American Literature from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1996), along with earlier degrees from the same institution and Centre College. Her research focuses on 19th-century American literature, U.S. Southern culture, women’s writing, global South studies, film analysis, and humor studies. She has co-edited major works such as American Cinema and the Southern Imaginary and co-authored numerous journal articles exploring themes like postbellum regional identity, racial dynamics in humor, and transnational literary connections. McKee’s scholarly contributions span special journal issues on global southern studies and southern cinema. She directs the Southern Studies Program, fostering interdisciplinary research and public engagement with southern culture. Though no awards are explicitly listed, her prolific publication record underscores her influence in literary and cultural fields. Her teaching and advisory roles include graduate supervision in documentary expression and southern studies. She collaborates with institutions such as the Southern Foodways Alliance, though specific grants or lab affiliations aren’t detailed here.

• Nineteenth-Century American Literature
• U.S. Southern Literature and Culture
• Writing by Women
• +3 more

Elana Levine is a Professor in the Department of English at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), affiliated with the College of Letters & Science. She specializes in media, cinema, and digital studies, with a focus on television history, gender studies, and media industries. Her research explores daytime soap operas, media convergence, and feminist media criticism. Levine holds a PhD in Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her notable publications include Her Stories: Daytime Soap Opera and US Television History (2020), Cupcakes, Pinterest, and Ladyporn: Feminized Popular Culture (2015), and Legitimating Television (2012). She has received numerous awards, including the Best Book Award from the National Communication Association (2012). Levine teaches courses on media industries, feminist media studies, and television history. She has advised over 50 graduate and undergraduate students, mentoring research on topics such as gender in media, digital culture, and television historiography. Her work bridges academia and public engagement, including invited lectures at institutions like UCLA and the National Arts Club. She also serves on editorial boards for journals like Television and New Media and Communication, Culture and Critique .

• Television history, theory, and criticism
• Media convergence
• Media production studies
• +4 more

Christine Varnado is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at the University at Buffalo, with a joint appointment in the Department of Global Gender and Sexuality Studies. Her research spans early modern British literature, queer theory, and critical race studies, focusing on the intersections of sexuality, race, and materiality in premodern texts. Her work critically engages with early modern British literature, particularly Shakespeare and Renaissance drama, through the lenses of queer theory, psychoanalytic theory, and new materialism. She investigates themes of embodiment, reproduction, and the historiography of sexuality, while also exploring premodern critical race studies and 17th-century print culture. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges literary studies with gender and sexuality studies, affect theory, and posthumanist thought. Varnado's recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on queering early modern texts, examining how desire, race, and materiality intersect in works by Shakespeare and his contemporaries. Her scholarship often challenges normative frameworks of life and death, sexuality and embodiment, revealing the queerness inherent in premodern literature. Notably, her award-winning article on whiteness in The Merchant of Venice and The Thief of Baghdad exemplifies her innovative methodological approach to critical race studies in early modern contexts. Her scholarly contributions have been recognized with several prestigious awards and fellowships: Shakespeare Association of America Huntington Library Fellowship (2023) Huntington Library Short-Term Fellowships (2020, 2023) UB Humanities Institute Faculty Fellowship (2021-2022) Shakespeare Association of America Innovative Article prize (2021) OVPRED Seed Money in the Arts and Humanities Grants (2018, 2024) While specific details about her advisees are not publicly listed, Professor Varnado has secured competitive research funding, including the OVPRED Seed Money grants in 2018 and 2024, which support innovative projects in the arts and humanities. Her active research agenda, as evidenced by her forthcoming monograph and edited collections, continues to shape conversations in early modern studies and queer theory.

• Early Modern British literature
• queer theory
• literary theory
• +11 more

Rebecca Janzen is a Professor of Spanish and Comparative Literature at the University of South Carolina, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a PhD from the University of Toronto (2013) and has held academic positions at institutions including Bluffton University and Brigham Young University. Her research focuses on gender, disability, and religious studies in Mexican literature and culture, with a particular emphasis on excluded populations such as Mennonites, Mormons, and marginalized groups in Mexico. Education: PhD in Spanish and Portuguese (University of Toronto, 2013), MA (University of Toronto, 2009), BA (University of Waterloo, 2007). Professional roles include McCausland Faculty Fellow (2022–2025), Director of Graduate Studies (2021–2023), and faculty associate in Latin American Studies. She has held fellowships at institutions like the Newberry Library and Elizabethtown College. Research Interests: Janzen’s work spans Mexican law, human rights, film analysis, and religious minorities. Key publications include Unlawful Violence (Vanderbilt, 2022), Unholy Trinity (SUNY, 2021), and Liminal Sovereignty (SUNY, 2018). Her studies often intersect with themes of state power, cultural production, and social justice. Publications and Media: Over 30 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and edited volumes. Media appearances include podcasts like New Books in Latin American Studies and documentaries on Mormon and Mennonite communities. She has delivered guest lectures at universities worldwide, including Texas A&M and the University of Winnipeg. Awards: McCausland Faculty Fellowship, Plett Foundation grants, Marian Library Visiting Scholar, and multiple teaching/research grants. Her work bridges academic rigor with community engagement, including refugee support and educational outreach. Teaching and Service: Courses on Mexican culture, law and literature, and religion in film. University service includes roles as faculty senator and committee member for library initiatives. She advises numerous graduate and undergraduate students, fostering interdisciplinary scholarship in Latin American studies.

• Mexican Literature and Culture
• Gender Studies
• Religious Studies
• +7 more

Lauren Sklaroff is a Professor of History at the University of South Carolina, affiliated with the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. She has been on faculty since 2005, specializing in cultural institutions’ influence on racial, ethnic, and religious identity. Her work bridges academia and public engagement, including books like Black Culture and the New Deal (2009) and Red Hot Mama: The Life of Sophie Tucker (2018). Sklaroff’s research has been supported by the NEH, Smithsonian, and USC grants. Education: B.A., Wellesley College M.A., University of Virginia Ph.D., University of Virginia (2003) Research Interests: Cultural history of race, gender, and ethnicity in 20th-century America Public history and museum studies Racial representation in media, radio, and popular culture Jewish-American cultural figures and identity politics Recent Work: Her current book project explores gender and anti-Semitism in the U.S. from 1920-1960. She regularly contributes to academic journals and media outlets like the Los Angeles Times and Salon.com . Awards: National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship (2016-2017) Multiple nominations for teaching excellence awards Smithsonian and NEH grants Advising & Grants: Supervises doctoral and M.A. students in American and public history. Active in curriculum development for courses on American Jewish history and cultural studies. Serves on university committees and the Columbia Holocaust Education Commission. Public Engagement: Historical consultant for documentaries and digital projects. Keynote speaker at events like the Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival and the National Museum of American History.

• American Cultural History
• Racial and Ethnic History
• History of Sexualities
• +3 more

Dr. C. Christine Fair is a Professor in the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service. Her expertise spans political and military affairs in South Asia, with a focus on Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. She previously held roles at the RAND Corporation, UNAMA, and USIP, and has been a Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellow. Her research addresses militant groups like Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, counterinsurgency strategies, and South Asian geopolitical dynamics. Education: PhD and MA from the University of Chicago’s Department of South Asian Languages and Civilization, and a BS from the same university. She speaks Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi fluently. Research Interests: Dr. Fair examines South Asian security challenges, including Pakistan’s military strategies, Islamist terrorism, and ethnic conflicts. Her work combines qualitative and quantitative methods, analyzing texts and public opinion data to understand militant recruitment and state responses to extremism. Key Publications: Includes Fighting to the End: The Pakistan Army’s Way of War (Oxford UP), In Their Own Words: Understanding Lashkar-e-Tayyaba (Oxford UP), and numerous articles on nuclear policy, Balochistan separatism, and Hindu nationalism’s political impact. Awards: She holds the Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship (2017) and has contributed to policy debates via media outlets like the BBC, CNN, and Foreign Affairs . Labs/Teams: Active in Georgetown’s Security Studies Program, collaborating with scholars on South Asia’s military, political, and societal challenges.

• South Asian Studies
• Political and Military Affairs
• Counterinsurgency
• +7 more

Rebecca Atencio is an Associate Professor of Spanish and Portuguese at Tulane University's School of Liberal Arts. She specializes in contemporary Brazilian literature, cinema, and television, with a focus on human rights, feminisms, and memory studies. She directs Tulane’s Gender and Sexuality Studies Program and serves as the Brazilian literature editor for the Luso-Brazilian Review. Her research explores the intersections of cultural production and political memory, particularly regarding Brazil’s military dictatorship and gender politics. Education: Ph.D. and M.A. in Portuguese from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2006 and 2003), B.A. in Latin American Studies from Johns Hopkins University (2000). Professional roles include Executive Committee member of the Brazilian Studies Association and MLA Discussion Group. Research interests span Brazilian feminisms, transitional justice, and the legacy of political violence. She has published widely, including her acclaimed book Memory’s Turn (2014) and articles on feminist activism, documentary film, and urban memory. Awards : Simon Rodríguez Award for Best Undergraduate Teacher (2017) Thomas Award for Best Book (2015) Sturgis Leavitt Award for Best Article (2011) Advising and Leadership: Supervised 2 theses/dissertations. Directed Tulane’s summer program in São Paulo (2014–2015). Founded the blog Transitional Justice in Brazil (2012–2014). Labs/Teams : Leads Gender and Sexuality Studies Program; collaborates on projects like Transitional Justice in Brazil blog.

• Brazilian Literature and Culture
• Human Rights
• Feminisms
• +5 more

Jonathan Matusitz is a Professor of Communication at the Nicholson School of Communication and Media (NSCM) at the University of Central Florida (UCF). He specializes in terrorism communication, symbolism in terrorism, globalization of communication, and public health campaigns. His work bridges academic research with practical applications, including advising law enforcement agencies like the Department of Homeland Security. He has published over 170 articles and 10 books on terrorism communication, including landmark works like Terrorism & Communication (2013) and Communication in the Metaverse (2024). Dr. Matusitz earned his Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma (2006). He has taught courses ranging from qualitative research methods to terrorism communication theory. His research methodologies include thematic analysis, semiotics, and theoretical analysis. He has collaborated internationally, including with India’s Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) on suicide terrorism studies. His research interests emphasize the intersection of communication and global conflict, with recent work exploring digital media’s role in Sub-Saharan African jihadism and the communicative potential of the Metaverse. He has also examined child terrorism, female extremism, and the symbolic dimensions of terrorist campaigns. Dr. Matusitz has received multiple teaching awards, including the College of Sciences’ prestigious awards in 2012 and 2017, and the Nicholson School’s Excellence in Teaching Award (2013-2014). His public engagement includes speaking at law enforcement workshops and advising on counterterrorism communication strategies. Outside academia, he is an avid traveler with a focus on UNESCO World Heritage Sites, having visited 39 U.S. states and 30 countries. His personal interests include cooking, cinema, and outdoor activities like kayaking and bicycling.

• Terrorism and Communication
• Symbolism in Terrorism
• Globalization of Communication
• +3 more

Dr. Frédéric Leveziel is an Associate Professor of French and Spanish at the University of South Florida's St. Petersburg campus, where he serves as the World Languages and Education (WLE) Coordinator. As a polyglot and interdisciplinary scholar, his research bridges historical scholarship and film studies, with specialized focus on Spanish and French cinema. His research examines the intersection between historical readings of film and cinematographic interpretations of history. Dr. Leveziel has conducted extensive archival research at UCLA on the Jean Renoir Papers (1915-1927) and is currently authoring a monograph examining production modes and reception of Jean Renoir's works within socio-historical contexts. Dr. Leveziel teaches diverse courses in French and Spanish language and culture. He also serves as faculty advisor for the Spanish Club at USF's St. Petersburg campus, supporting student engagement with Hispanic culture.

• Film Studies
• French Cinema
• Spanish Cinema
• +3 more

Peter Ingrao is an Associate Professor of Instruction in Literary Studies at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), affiliated with the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology. He holds a Ph.D. in Humanities (2004) from UTD, an M.A. in English (1998) from North Carolina State University, and a B.A. in English (1996) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research focuses on American Southern literature, particularly Appalachian narratives, the trope of monstrosity, and intersections between humanities and sciences. He explores themes like utopia/dystopia, heroic archetypes, and swamp ecologies as sites of cultural resistance. His teaching includes 20th-century American literature, science fiction, and southern literary traditions. Dr. Ingrao has presented widely at conferences such as ALA, SAMLA, and Faulkner and Yoknapatawpha, emphasizing Southern Gothic and cultural critiques. He has authored works on Larry Brown, Faulkner, and zombie narratives, and edited collections on superhero cinema. He is a recipient of the 2018 Regents’ and Victor Worsfold Teaching Awards. At UTD, he serves on the Committee on Effective Teaching and has advised numerous university initiatives, including events on vampire culture and dystopian narratives. His current projects include a Routledge Companion entry on Grit Lit and a Lever Press collection on superhero representations.

• Southern Literature
• Twentieth-Century American Literature
• Appalachian Literature
• +5 more

Zachary Beckler is an Associate Lecturer and Graduate Program Coordinator at the University of Central Florida’s Film and Mass Media Program, specializing in narrative genre cinema, digital post-production, and sound design. He teaches courses in production and cinema studies and contributes to curriculum development. M.F.A. in Film (University of Central Florida, 2014) B.F.A. in Film Production (University of Central Florida) His research focuses on narrative genre cinema, post-production workflows, and sound design. His award-winning films, including Interior and Where Is Alice? , explore digital filmmaking techniques and horror cinema aesthetics. 2015 Grand Jury Prize for Best Horror Feature (Shriekfest Film Festival) 2014 Best Florida Feature (Freak Show Horror Film Festival) 2013 Jury Selection (Brouhaha Film and Video Showcase) He contributes to academic governance as Chair of the Undergraduate Film Curriculum Committee and serves as a Film B.F.A. Portfolio Reviewer.

• Narrative Genre Cinema
• Digital Cinema Editing
• Post-Production Workflow
• +3 more

Elizabeth Kritzer is an Associate Professor and Graduate Program Coordinator for the Film program at the Nicholson School of Communication and Media, University of Central Florida. She specializes in experimental and documentary filmmaking, using Super 8mm, 16mm, and digital formats. Her work has been exhibited globally and earned a 2023 Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to Bogotá, Colombia, where she directed film workshops and explored hand-processed film techniques. She teaches cinema production, theory, and history, emphasizing inclusive pedagogies and 'ungrading' methods. Education: M.F.A. in Film, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (2011) M.A. in Film Studies, University of Iowa (2008) B.A. in English, University of Florida (2005) Research Focus: Her work intersects documentary theory, avant-garde filmmaking, found-footage practices, and metacognition in creative processes. She explores Latinx cultural assimilation through her lens as a second-generation Cuban-American. Awards: Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award (2023) Lightpress Grants (2019, 2024) Florida Experimental Film Festival Jury Award (2019) Professional Activities: She leads the Film B.F.A. Portfolio Committee and is active in the University Film and Video Association.

• Documentary filmmaking
• Experimental cinema
• Avant-garde and underground filmmaking
• +5 more

Laura Helen Marks is a Senior Professor of Practice in the Department of English at Tulane University, where she also serves as Associate Director of First-Year Writing. She is affiliated with the School of Liberal Arts, focusing on interdisciplinary education in New Orleans. Her research explores intersections between pornography, Victorian Gothic literature, and media studies. Education: Ph.D. in English from Louisiana State University. Research emphasizes pornographic genre evolution, feminist media analysis, and adaptations of Victorian horror narratives. Her monograph Alice in Pornoland: Hardcore Encounters With the Victorian Gothic (2018) analyzes cinematic adaptations of Gothic classics through a pornographic lens. She contributes to peer-reviewed journals like Sexualities and Feminist Media Histories , and appears as an expert commentator in media outlets including BBC, Mel Magazine, and Vice. Teaching focuses on first-year writing programs and media literacy. No scientific awards explicitly mentioned in materials. No listed grants or advising relationships found.

• Pornography Studies
• Victorian Literature
• Media Studies
• +3 more

Michael Gott is Professor and Department Head of Romance and Arabic Languages and Literatures at the University of Cincinnati, with joint appointment in Film and Media Studies. His research examines representations of migration, mobility, and cognitive mapping in global screen media. Education: Ph.D. in French, University of Texas at Austin (2011) M.A. in French and Francophone Studies, UCLA (2006) B.A. in International Studies and French, Ohio State University (2002) Gott's work explores how cultural policies and industry practices shape narratives about identity in transnational contexts. His recent book Screen Borders analyzes cinematic representations of borders from Calais to global French-language cinema. He teaches courses on transnational film, global screen industries, European cinema, Quebec cinema, and diaspora studies. As director of programming for UC's Niehoff Center for Film & Media Studies, he coordinates film-related academic initiatives. Gott has received research funding from UC's University Research Council and AHSS for projects examining Quebec cinema's global dimensions and border representations in European media.

• Transnational Cinema
• Migration Studies
• European Film
• +3 more