Gaylyn StudlarView profile
Professor
Gaylyn Studlar is the David May Distinguished Professor in the Humanities and Professor of Film and Media Studies at Washington University in St. Louis. She joined the faculty in 2009 after stints at the University of Michigan (1996–2009) and Emory University. At Michigan, she held the Rudolf Arnheim Collegiate Professorship in Film Studies and directed the Program in Film and Media Studies, which evolved into the Department of Screen Arts and Cultures during her tenure. Her research spans feminist film theory, Hollywood cinema, genre studies, stardom, and Orientalism, with a focus on the intersection of film and other arts. Education: PhD in Cinema Studies, University of Southern California Master of Music in Cello Performance, University of Southern California Research Interests: Studlar’s work explores gender dynamics in film history, particularly through studies of stardom and genre. Notable projects include analyses of Marlene Dietrich, John Ford’s Westerns, and the cultural impact of Titanic . She is currently writing Erotic Labor: Sex, Class, and Stardom in Pre-Code Hollywood . Publications: Her major works include Precocious Charms (2013) and Have Gun—Will Travel (2015), which examine stardom and genre. Her scholarship has been translated into multiple languages. Awards: Excellence in Education Award (1996, University of Michigan) Provost’s Office Grant (1997) Teaching & Leadership: At WashU, she teaches courses like Film Theory, Women & Film, and Film Historiography. She has led academic programs and expanded curricula in film studies. Her work bridges cinema with music and visual arts, reflecting interdisciplinary interests.











