Dr. Laura Mcmahon

Biography

Laura McMahon is an Associate Professor in Film Screen Studies at the University of Cambridge, affiliated with the Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages and Linguistics. Her research focuses on the intersections of film philosophy and French Francophone contexts, specifically exploring cinema’s relations to decolonial and feminist ecocritical approaches. Currently, she is engaged in a project that examines recent feminist remediations of archives, including ethnographic films and home movies, which aim to reframe historical narratives through critical repurposing and speculative reimagining. McMahon's work addresses contemporary moving image practices, predominantly in documentary filmmaking and the artists’ moving image, within a global context. Her recent publications include 'Disordering Archives: Onyeka Igwe Black Feminist Speculative Histories' published in Screen, as well as contributions to forthcoming works on women's film heritage. Additionally, she has written about the political and philosophical engagement of cinematic practices, delving into topics such as colonial memory and animal ethics. Her monograph, 'Animal Worlds: Film, Philosophy Time', examines the reflections on ethics and politics concerning animal life, drawing on the thoughts of prominent thinkers like Gilles Deleuze and Jacques Derrida. With a strong interest in embodiment and materiality in cinema, McMahon welcomes inquiries from potential MPhil and PhD students whose research aligns with her interests.

Research Interests

Experience