Kelly Egan

Dr. Kelly Egan serves as Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Cultural Studies at Trent University, combining academic scholarship with creative practice as a filmmaker, animated sound composer, and film archivist. Her work bridges critical theory and hands-on media production, positioning her at the forefront of media archaeology research.

Her educational foundation spans disciplines:

• Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, Carleton University (2001)
• Master of Arts in Communication and Culture, York University/Ryerson University (2003)
• Master of Fine Arts in Film/Video, Bard College (2006)
• Certificate in Film Preservation, Selznick School of Film Preservation at George Eastman House (2012)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Communication and Culture, York University/Ryerson University (2013)

Dr. Egan's research excavates 'dead media' to challenge linear technological narratives, focusing on film projectors' material properties and sonic dimensions. By analyzing how historical artists engaged with projector noises during transitions like silent-to-sound cinema, she reveals cinema's performative nature and opens pathways for reimagining obsolete technologies in contemporary art. Her approach merges archival rigor with creative experimentation to explore media obsolescence as a generative force.

Her exceptional teaching has been recognized with:

• Symons Award for Excellence in Teaching (2018), honoring innovative pedagogy that integrates media production with critical analysis

As department Chair, Dr. Egan mentors students through interdisciplinary projects connecting theory with practice. Her creative output receives international recognition through screenings at major festivals including TIFF and Rotterdam, indicating successful grant support for production and exhibition. Ongoing collaborations with film archives and artist collectives sustain research networks that extend beyond campus.

While not directing a formal laboratory, Dr. Egan's work is closely tied to Trent's EMM Lab (Experimental Media and Music Lab) through departmental links. She actively shapes external creative ecosystems via partnerships with Loop Collective (Toronto) and Lost Dominion Screening Collective (Ottawa), fostering experimental film communities that support media archaeology practice and public engagement.