Collin Hawley

Graduate Teaching Assistant

photography, gender and sexuality, alienation, power, and subject formations

Collin Hawley holds a Bachelor of Arts in photography and film studies as well as a Master of Arts in humanities with a concentration in cultural studies from Milligan University in Johnson City, TN. His research draws from his experience as an analog photographer and examines how the interfaces of visual technologies structure participation with practices of sexuality and the articulation of gendered subject formations. Currently he is a PhD candidate in George Mason University’s cultural studies program.

Selected Publications

"The “Problem” of Black Skin: The Naturalization of Technological Racial Bias through the Discourse of Adobe Lightroom Presets and Wedding Photography." Velvet Light Trap (Spring 2024 Issue 93) University of Texas Press, Austin, TX (29-39). https://doi.org/10.7560/VLT9304

"Review of Warring Visions: Photography and Vietnam by Thy Phu (Duke University Press)" Lateral (Spring 2023 Issue 12.1) https://doi.org/10.25158/L12.1.19.

Courses Taught

HNRS 110: Fundamentals of Research and Inquiry
HNRS 122: Visual Culture and Cosmic Horror
HNRS 122: Digital and Visual Bodies

Undergraduate Research Mentored

"Privacy Concerns vs. Product Desires: Unpacking Big Tech and the User Dilemma." Mercy Wolverton (2024).

"Palestinians Worldwide: The Global Narrative." Ayham Elayan (2023).

Education

MA - Humanities, Milligan University

BA - Fine Art, Film Studies and Photography, Milligan University

Recent Presentations

Presenter, "'Don’t Give Up Skeleton!' Deconstructing and Reconstructing Video Game Entertainment in “Soulsborne” Speed and Challenge Run Twitch Streams." Conclusions, Cultural Studies Association, George Mason University, June 2nd, 2023.

Presenter, "Longing and Belonging: Anxiety and Absence in Domestic Photography." Designing the Self, HUGSA, York University, July 29, 2020.