Dr. Peter Decherney

Biography

Peter Decherney is an award-winning fine art photographer, filmmaker, and author who holds the Edmund J. Louise W. Kahn Endowed Term Chair in the Humanities at the University of Pennsylvania. He serves as a Professor in the Department of Cinema & Media Studies and is the Director of the Penn Global Documentary Institute. Peter has authored and edited seven books, including 'Hollywood's Copyright Wars: Edison to Internet' and 'Hollywood: A Short Introduction'. His writings have appeared in major publications such as New York, Forbes, and Higher Ed. Peter's photography, which focuses on global Jewish communities, has been exhibited in various museums, galleries, universities, and includes works like 'Endless Exodus: Jewish Experience in Ethiopia', which is forthcoming. His films often explore themes of migration and the political roles of artists, including the virtual reality docuseries 'Heart of Puerto Rico', which won awards at the AT&T Film Awards, and the documentary 'Dreaming Jerusalem', co-directed with Sosena Solomon, showcasing the Jewish community in Ethiopia. He has also produced the documentary 'I'm a Girl', centered on a South Sudanese hip-hop dancer. As a recognized scholar, he is affiliated with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and was a fellow with the American Council of Learned Societies. His teaching effort in an open online course on the history of Hollywood has enrolled over 80,000 learners. Additionally, he holds a secondary appointment at the Annenberg School for Communication and is affiliated with the Penn Law Center for Technology, Innovation, and Competition.

Research Interests