Leena Jayaswal

Leena Jayaswal is a Professor in the School of Communication at American University in Washington DC, where she serves as Director of the Photography BA program. Previously, she held significant administrative roles as the School's first Inclusion Officer and Associate Dean (2019-2022) and Interim Dean for the School of Communication (2023-24). She earned her BA in Visual Media and Anthropology from American University and her MFA in Photography from the Maryland Institute College of Art.

Professor Jayaswal's research centers on the South Asian Diaspora, with additional interests in music documentaries, mixed-race identity in America, and climate change. Her work consistently explores the intersections of Indian and American identities through visual media. She has developed a distinctive approach that combines documentary filmmaking with photographic art to examine cultural hybridity and identity formation.

Her filmography demonstrates a clear evolution from early works examining post-Partition narratives to contemporary explorations of mixed-race identity and climate change. The recurring themes across her 15+ year career include cultural intersection, diasporic experience, and visual storytelling as a means of social commentary. Her work spans documentary film, photography exhibitions, and multimedia installations that challenge conventional narratives about identity.

• Best Documentary Award for Crossing Lines at California Arts Association Digital Short Film Festival
• Gracie Allen Award for Crossing Lines
• Best Selected Juror Film for An Impression: Dischord Records at International Film Festival, Berkeley Art Center
• Official Photographer for the Patsy Cline Museum

Professor Jayaswal has secured significant research funding including the AU Faculty Research Award for The Rivers Project and Department of Education and AU Faculty Research Grants for Crossing Lines. Her professional service includes juror positions for numerous photographic and video contests and co-curating the Visual Griots Exhibition at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. She maintains active leadership roles in professional organizations including UFVA, iDMAa, SPE, and the American Society for Media Photographers, and serves on the Advisory Board for NOVA Photography.