Senior Research Fellow in Film and Media Studies
My work explores the art of the moving image, focusing on its philosophical, psychological, and ethical dimensions. As an early adopter of cognitive film theory, I have contributed to research that integrates cognitive psychology and philosophy with film studies. My current research focuses on narrative and moral imagination, examining how film engages, moves, and challenges viewers.
discover moreMy recent research investigates the complex interplay between film, morality, and human experience. With support from the Templeton Religion Trust, I explore how screen stories and character engagement influence moral understanding and encourage deeper reflection.
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Explore a selection of my books, where I examine the nature of documentary, the emotional power of film, the ethics of engagement, and the broader philosophy of cinema. Through these works, I investigate how moving images shape perception, evoke emotion, and engage audiences in ethical and philosophical inquiry.
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Moving Viewers: American Film and the Spectator's Experience examines how mainstream American films engage viewers emotionally, analyzing the paradox of negative emotions and the ritualistic nature of cinematic narratives.
Screen Stories: Emotion and the Ethics of Engagement explores the ethical impact of screen stories, arguing that the emotional power of media significantly influences both personal and cultural wellbeing, necessitating a more ethical approach to media criticism.
Rhetoric and Representation in Nonfiction Film provides a critical realist perspective on documentary film, exploring the role of rhetoric, truth-telling, and structural choices in shaping the representation of reality in nonfiction cinema.
