معرفی
Jennifer Malkowski is an Associate Professor of Film & Media Studies and serves as Chair of Film & Media Studies at Smith College. They are actively engaged in teaching and research at the intersection of digital media, documentary practices, and social issues. Their work focuses on how technological developments reshape social and political power, with particular attention to death and dying, race, gender, and sexuality in media contexts.
Malkowski holds a Ph.D. and M.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, and a B.A. from Oberlin College. Their academic journey has positioned them at the forefront of media studies, particularly in emerging digital contexts.
Their research interests span digital media (especially video games, Internet video, digital cinema, and social media), documentary practices, death and dying, and the representation of race, gender, and sexuality in media. They are particularly interested in the connections between 'old' and new media and how technological developments alter social and political power structures. Malkowski's work often explores the ethical dimensions of media representation, particularly regarding mortality and digital documentation.
Over the past decade, Malkowski's publications have traced evolving trends in digital media studies, with increasing focus on representation in gaming culture, the politics of digital documentation, and the intersection of technology with social justice issues. Their work demonstrates a progression from analyzing traditional documentary forms to examining emergent digital practices, particularly around social media and video game culture.
Malkowski founded and directs Smith College's Video Game Research Lab, located in Hillyer Hall 326, which serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research on gaming culture, design, and representation. They have secured institutional support for this initiative, which has become a significant resource for students interested in game studies. As Chair of Film & Media Studies, they oversee curriculum development and faculty initiatives within the department.
As a prominent scholar in their field, Malkowski has co-edited several influential publications including Gaming Representation: Race, Gender, and Sexuality in Video Games and a special issue of American Literature titled 'American Game Studies.' They also serve as co-editor of the 'Power Play: Games, Politics, Culture' book series from Duke University Press, which has become an important venue for critical game studies scholarship.
