Contact Information

• sobrien@unca.edu
• 251-6613
• 304 Karpen Hall

Office Hours

• Tuesday 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
• Wednesday 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
• Thursday 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
• Note: And Mondays and Fridays via Zoom by appointment only; Wednesday in office; Tuesday and Thursday in office and by appointment only.

Dr. O’Brien’s scholarship and teaching focuses on the intersection of Cultural Studies and Media Studies. She examines the relationship between student identity and media texts, particularly how this relationship is addressed in educational settings. Prior to teaching, Dr. O’Brien worked in the film and television industry. She began her career in local television news before transitioning into motion picture production where she worked as an assistant director on major films, television programming, commercials, and music videos. She is a member of the Director’s Guild of America, the professional guild representing directors and their production teams.

When she is not teaching, Professor O’Brien is most likely hanging out on the deck with her spouse, dog, and cats listening to the creek flow through the woods.

Dr. O’Brien recent publications include:

“The Kids Are Not All Right: LGBTQIA+ Student Identity and Introductory Film Studies Curriculum.” Dissertation published in ProQuest ETD.

“A Fiery Reaction”: Emotion as a Fundamental Partner in Responsibility and Renewal. Philosophy, Theory, and Foundations in Education, 2(1), 11-18.

Review of the book Chick TV: Antiheroines & Time Unbound by Yael Levy. Journalism History 48(2). https://journalism-history.org/2022/07/18/levy-chick-tv

Education

• Ph.D., Cultural Studies, School of Education, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• M.A., Communication Studies, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Post-Baccalaureate, Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• B.A., Broadcast and Cinema Studies, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Courses Taught

• MCOM 104: Media, Ethics & Society
• MCOM 395: Cultural Studies and Media
• MCOM 393: Television Studies
• MCOM 393: Situation Comedy and American Culture
• VMP 205: Basic Video Production
• VMP 293: Podcasting