معرفی
Carolyn Shapiro is an Associate Professor of Visual Culture at Falmouth University, where she has taught since 2002. She previously held a Lecturer position in the English Department at Baruch College, New York. Additionally, she serves as an External Examiner at the Faculty of Laws, University College London, recognized for her expertise in Jeremy Bentham's philosophy. Her roles also include leading research projects and supervising PhD students, contributing to postgraduate research education.
Carolyn holds a BA in Comparative Literature and History of Art from the University of Pennsylvania (1987), followed by an MA and PhD in Performance Studies from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University (1993 and 2004 respectively). Her doctoral work earned her the Michael Kirby Award for Most Distinguished PhD dissertation in 2004.
Her research interests are interdisciplinary, focusing on deconstructive methodologies, feminist theory, and psychoanalysis. She explores Performance Studies and Performance Philosophy, particularly through the lens of Jeremy Bentham’s philosophy of language and utilitarianism. Her work delves into the Uncanny in illustration, object-oriented philosophy, and 3-D illustration. She also investigates Studio Ghibli films, disability studies, and critical pedagogy. Recent projects include the Transitus: Illustration as Crossing Ground symposium and co-organizing the AHRC-funded Online Feminist Classroom. She actively addresses issues of decolonisation in art education and participates in discussions on anti-Semitism through her role on Falmouth University’s Commission on Race and Inequality.
Carolyn has received several honors, including the Michael Kirby Award (2004) and invitations to lecture at UCL’s Faculty of Law (2015, 2018). She is a member of the International Society for Utilitarian Studies and the College Art Association.
In her academic engagement, Carolyn has supervised 9 current PhD students and guided 2 to completion. She has been involved in grants like the AHRC proposal and organized events such as the 2013 Performing Objects conference and the 2017 Falmouth Art Publishing Fair. Her professional activities also include examining research degrees at Falmouth and teaching on speculative design and performative language.
Carolyn’s work intersects with Falmouth University’s initiatives, including the Bentham Project at UCL and collaborations with the Journal of Illustration. She co-curated the Felicitous Objects exhibit (2013) and integrates student symposiums like Disquiet Feminisms (2019) and Decolonise Now! (2021) into her teaching.
