Tracy Heather Strain

As a documentarian, Associate Professor of Film Studies Tracy Heather Strain is committed to unearthing, developing, and producing stories that bring underrepresented voices to the public’s attention and creating films that challenge dominant cultural, historical, social, and political discourses. Her work, exhibited around the world and shown in classrooms across the country, reminds us of how America has—and hasn’t—changed. While Professor Strain is proud of the widespread impact of her work, much more remains to be done. “The stories of all sorts of people need to be told to create greater empathy and understanding in our world.” 

Being able to create and introduce a formal documentary curriculum to the College of Film and the Moving Image was part of what drew her to the unique environment of Wesleyan University. Ethics, values, and accountability are non-negotiable for her, and she brings that framework to her teaching. “On one hand, a documentary can garner support for a little-known subject. On the other hand, it can do harm or put people in danger. I tell students that it’s great to make documentaries, but part of our job is to inspire the people who are on the ground, doing the work. Not all films change the world, but sometimes we can, and we do.”