On July 1, 2025, after a rigorous national search, Tim Palmer, Ph.D., will take the reins as the new chair of the University of Utah Department of Film & Media Arts. Palmer comes to the U from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where he served as a professor and the chair of film studies.

A film historian and prolific scholar, Palmer holds undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Warwick (in film and literature and film and television, respectively) and earned his doctorate in communication arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His primary research interests lie in French and Francophone cinema, with published work on stardom and performance, revisionist historiography, subtitling, counter cinemas, essay films and archival practices in media.  Supported by grants from both the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Council of Learned Societies, his latest book project is “Cinema Marianne: A New History of Women and Marginality in the French Film Ecosystem.” He is also passionate about nurturing filmmakers from non-traditional backgrounds and sees growth potential for that focus here in Utah.

Palmer will bring with him the celebrated triannual journal he co-founded, Film Matters, a peer-reviewed magazine dedicated to “celebrating the work of undergraduate film scholars,” for which he is the co-editor-in-chief. Students at the U will shortly take over as the publication’s editorial board, giving them access to potential careers in film and media publishing.

“With great appreciation for all who participated in and provided critical input throughout the search process, we are delighted to be able to welcome Dr. Palmer to this important role,” said John Scheib, dean of the College of Fine Arts and the associate vice president for arts on campus. “His experience with and expertise in global cinema, along with the creative contributions from our faculty and students, will be powerful components of our educational enterprise, the international reach of our creative work and our ability to reflect and impact our society.”