Dr. Laura Horak

Biography

Laura Horak is an Associate Professor cross-appointed in Film Studies at Carleton University and the director of the Transgender Media Lab. Her research investigates the history of transgender and queer film and media across the United States, Canada, and Sweden. She is the author of 'Girls Boys: Cross-Dressing Women, Lesbians, American Cinema, 1908-1934' and has co-edited numerous influential volumes including 'Silent Cinema Politics Space' and 'Unwatchable'. Horak's work establishes the intersection of transgender studies and media studies, focusing on the lived experiences and theories of transgender, Two-Spirit, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming individuals. She emphasizes the importance of showcasing marginalized voices through her lab's initiatives, which aim to connect scholarly endeavors with trans communities and bring forgotten films to a wider audience. Horak is currently involved in large-scale collaborative projects and grants to advance the field of trans cinema studies and has published extensively on trans filmmaking and its cultural implications. Her contributions to academia and public scholarship have made her a key figure in the research of trans representation in media.

Research Interests

Experience