Joshua Gulam

I am a film and media studies scholar and teacher with a particular interest in commercial genre cinema, the Hollywood film industry, stardom, and celebrity humanitarianism. My research and teaching are principally concerned with examining the links between popular culture and broader social, industrial, and political forces. I have published a number of articles and chapters in this area, looking at topics such as the Trump-era horror film and film star campaigning.

I recently edited a book on the Fast & Furious franchise, with Dr Sarah Feinstein (University of Leeds) and Dr Fraser Elliott (University of Edinburgh). Full-Throttle Franchise (Bloomsbury 2023) is the first academic book devoted to Fast & Furious: it brings together a range of scholars to explore not only the style and themes of the franchise, but also its broader cultural impact and legacy.

I was awarded my PhD at University of Manchester in 2017. My Arts & Humanities Research Council-funded doctoral project explored the charitable and political activities of contemporary Hollywood stars including Angelina Jolie and George Clooney, looking specifically at how the on-screen roles of these individuals intersect with their humanitarianism.