Krysten Stein (she/her/hers) is a first-generation, interdisciplinary Ph.D. Candidate studying Communication and Media Studies with concentrations in Gender and Women’s Studies and Black Studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a double minor in Psychology and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, a Master of Arts in Communication, and a graduate certificate in Film and Media Studies from the University of Cincinnati.
Broadly, her research centers on identity, power and media. It investigates how popular culture, television and digital media specifically, are intertwined with systems of power and systematically excluded populations. Rooted in critical/cultural studies, utilizing an intersectional feminist lens, her writing and research focuses on cultural production, media industries, representation, and audience reception. She has published in various mediums including Feminist Media Studies, Gender & Society, The International Journal of Communication, Queer Studies in Media & Popular Culture, The Popular Culture Studies Journal, and ACM CHI, and has presented at national and international conferences. She is also the Social Media Editor for Feminist Media Studies and the Student and Early Career Representative for ICA’s Popular Media and Culture division.
Additionally, innovative and critical pedagogy in-person, online, and in hybrid formats are forefront to her research and academic approach. She loves finding creative and innovative ways to connect theories and concepts to real life. She strives to make her students excited about learning while building their critical thinking and problem solving skills.
She has held communication, admissions, advising, case management, and teaching positions within higher education and non-profit organizations. As a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, she has a strong background in instructing, advising, and counseling students. She has over 9+ years of face-to-face and online collegiate teaching experience, including the following courses: Effective Public Speaking, Business Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Introduction to Mass Communication, Communication & Popular Culture, Social Justice & Communication, Gender, Language & Communication, and Introduction to Cooperative Education.
She spends her free time hanging out with her partner, friends, and family. She also enjoys watching movies, dancing, traveling, reading, loving on her rescue cats, Moses & CeeCee, and trying new food.