Diane Christian

Diane Christian is a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Department of English at the University at Buffalo, part of the College of Arts and Sciences. Her academic career spans over five decades, with notable roles including Director of the Ph.D. Program in Folklore, Mythology, and Film Studies (1984–), and Adjunct Professor of Comparative Literature. She has also served as Executive Director of Documentary Research, Inc., focusing on film production and advocacy.

Education:

• Ph.D., The Johns Hopkins University, 1973
• M.A., The Johns Hopkins University, 1965
• B.A., Nazareth College of Rochester, 1961 (magna cum laude in English and Philosophy)

Research Interests: Christian’s work bridges literature, film, and social justice. Her primary areas include William Blake studies, biblical interpretation, mythology, and documentary film production. Her films, often co-directed with Bruce Jackson, explore themes like prison systems (e.g., Death Row), ex-nun narratives (Out of Order), and poet Robert Creeley. She also investigates violence, morality, and cultural narratives through interdisciplinary lenses.

Grants & Awards: Notable grants include National Endowment for the Humanities funding for documentary films and SUNY grants for film festivals. Her awards include the Walter P. Cooke Award (2016) and the Charlotte Mulligan Award (2015). Her book In This Timeless Time (2012) received a Bronze Medal from the Independent Publisher Book Awards.

Teaching & Service: Christian teaches courses on mythology, biblical literature, and documentary film. She co-founded the Buffalo Film Seminars (2000–), a public-facing cinema series. She has advised over 23 Ph.D. dissertations and served on numerous university committees, including the Faculty Senate and Provost Council.

Labs/Teams: She collaborates with filmmaker Bruce Jackson on documentary projects and co-organized events like the Buffalo Film Seminars and film festivals (e.g., Leading Ladies Film Festival). Her work intersects with institutions like the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and international film festivals.