معرفی
Laura Horak is Professor of Film Studies at Carleton University and director of the Transgender Media Lab and Transgender Media Portal. Her research investigates transgender and queer film history across the United States, Canada, and Sweden, establishing her as a pioneer in trans cinema and media studies. A white cis queer settler scholar, she leverages institutional resources for social justice through public-facing scholarship and community collaboration.
Her educational background includes:
- BA from Yale University
- MA and Ph.D. from UC-Berkeley
Horak's research centers on how cinema shapes gender and sexuality from early 20th-century silent films to contemporary trans YouTube content, with emphasis on cross-dressing women, trans filmmaking practices, and feminist/queer media historiography. She bridges transgender studies, film history, and digital humanities to recover marginalized narratives and challenge heteronormative film canons.
Her recent publications (2018-2024) demonstrate three key trends: 1) Development of trans digital humanities through special issues on queer/trans DH and cinematic bodies; 2) Feminist film archiving focused on silent cinema's 'nasty women' and cross-dressing histories; 3) Trans media activism via film festivals, erotic curation, and community-centered platforms like the Transgender Media Portal. This work consistently prioritizes intersectionality, international collaboration, and public accessibility.
Horak's scholarly impact has been recognized with:
- Huffington Post Best Film Books of 2016 for Girls Will Be Boys
- Choice Outstanding Academic Title (2016)
- Richard Wall Memorial Award Finalist (2016)
- Kraszna-Krausz Best Moving Image Book Longlist (2016)
She mentors emerging scholars in film studies and digital humanities while securing major research funding, including an SSHRC Insight Grant (2020-2025), Ontario Early Researcher Award (2019-2024), and SSHRC Partnership Development Grant for Cinema’s First Nasty Women. Her work integrates academic rigor with public engagement through film programming and digital tool development.
Horak founded the Transgender Media Lab as a physical and virtual hub for trans media scholarship and created the Transgender Media Portal to democratize access to trans film history. She collaborates with international film archives, festivals, and scholars to preserve trans cinematic heritage and foster community connections through projects like the 99-film Cinema’s First Nasty Women collection praised by The New York Times as a 'mind-expanding endeavour'.
