Shawna Kidman

Shawna Kidman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at UC San Diego, specializing in media industries, broadcast/cable history, and the political economy of media. Her work bridges historical analysis with contemporary issues, examining how corporate, legal, and financial systems shape entertainment landscapes. She holds a Ph.D. in Media Studies from the University of Southern California, School of Cinematic Arts, and previously worked in film/TV development, bringing practical insights to her academic research.

Her research focuses on the comic book industry's influence on Hollywood, transmedia storytelling, and media consolidation. Key projects include the MACRO Lab (analyzing media consolidation) and Swarming Comic-Con (ethnographic study of pop culture conventions). She also explores the political economy of movie theaters during the Franchise Era (2008–2020).

Her book Comic Books Incorporated: How the Business of Comics Became the Business of Hollywood (2019) traces how comic book strategies reshaped modern media production. Teaching emphasizes historical context, media literacy, and critical engagement with industry practices.