Alexis Romero Walker (they/them), Ph.D., is a Senior Researcher at the Geena Davis Institute. They are a qualitative media studies researcher that specializes in decolonizing structures dominated by whiteness and heteronormativity both in entertainment media and higher education. 

Alexis is particularly interested in the ways in which diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice can be implemented in entertainment media from the inside to result in media that best represents all people. They received their Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Media and Communication. They also have an Master’s in Media Literacy and Social Justice, and a BA in Media Arts with a minor in Theatre Arts.

Alexis is also an Assistant Professor of Communication and Media at Manhattanville College and has presented their research both nationally and internationally at academic conferences such as AEJMC, NCA, PCA, and NAMLE. They have also received teaching awards from these organizations, such as AEJMC Distinguished Educator Award, Media Literacy Higher Education Teacher Award, and the AEJMC Institute for Diverse Leadership Fellowship.

Alexis has also led workshops for faculty and students on inclusive practices of media production. For example, Alexis visited BYU-Utah’s Theatre and Media Arts department and led students in a workshop on how to properly light people of color. At the University of Iowa they presented to a group of doctoral students how to create an inclusive pedagogy. They have also presented important education about the history of lack of diversity in the film industry to top-tier production studios. 

You can find Alexis’ published articles here: