Robin R. Means Coleman, PhD is a Professor of Media Studies and of African American and African Studies at the University of Virginia. She is also the Founder and Director of the Black Fantastic Media Research Lab. An experienced academic leader, Dr. Coleman previously served as Vice President & Associate Provost for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, Chief Diversity Officer at Northwestern University. She held a similar role at Texas A&M University. She has also held key leadership positions at the University of Michigan.
An innovative scholar, Dr. Coleman’s award-winning research explores media studies and the cultural politics of Blackness. Her most recent books include The Oxford Handbook of Black Horror Film (2024, edited with Novotny Lawrence), The Black Guy Dies First: Black Horror Cinema from Fodder to Oscar (2023, with Mark Harris), and Horror Noire: A History of Black American Horror from the 1890s to Present, 2nd ed. (2023).
Dr. Coleman is featured in, and co-executive produced, the critically acclaimed documentary Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror (2019).
A committed mentor and advocate for inclusive excellence, she strives to prioritize belonging in her teaching, research, and public scholarship.
Robin R. Means Coleman, PhD is a Professor of Media Studies and of African American and African Studies at the University of Virginia. She is also the Founder and Director of the Black Fantastic Media Research Lab. An experienced academic leader, Dr. Coleman previously served as Vice President & Associate Provost for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, Chief Diversity Officer at Northwestern University. She held a similar role at Texas A&M University. She has also held key leadership positions at the University of Michigan.
An innovative scholar, Dr. Coleman’s award-winning research explores media studies and the cultural politics of Blackness. Her most recent books include The Oxford Handbook of Black Horror Film (2024, edited with Novotny Lawrence), The Black Guy Dies First: Black Horror Cinema from Fodder to Oscar (2023, with Mark Harris), and Horror Noire: A History of Black American Horror from the 1890s to Present, 2nd ed. (2023).
Dr. Coleman is featured in, and co-executive produced, the critically acclaimed documentary Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror (2019).
A committed mentor and advocate for inclusive excellence, she strives to prioritize belonging in her teaching, research, and public scholarship.
