Benjamin McCann

Associate Professor Benjamin McCann

Associate Professor

School of Humanities

Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

I completed my PhD in 1930s French Cinema at the University of Bristol. I am particularly interested in French 'Poetic Realist' cinema, the films of Marcel Carné and Julien Duvivier, set design and film decor, film adaptation, French horror films, and the audience reception of French films.

I held the position of Head of French Studies from January 2016 to September 2021.

I was the French Film editor for the Year's Work in Modern Language Studies from 2014 to 2017.

I have been awarded five 'teaching excellence' prizes: the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Prize for Excellence in Teaching (2008), a Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning from the Australian Learning and Teaching Council: 'For using language immersion, along with joie de vivre, to motivate students and inspire engagement in French grammar, literature and culture' (2010), the Stephen Cole the Elder Award for Excellence in Teaching (in 2011 and 2022), and a Commendation for the Enhancement and Innovation of Student Learning (2021).

In 2009, I was part of a team awarded a $219,000 grant from the Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) entitled "A collaborative multi-faceted approach to address the gaps between student expectation and experience at university" and in 2014, I was part of a team awarded a $60,000 grant from the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education (NCSEHE) to explore the experiences of first-in-family students at the University of Adelaide.

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2016 - 2020 Head of French Studies University of Adelaide
    2012 - 2018 Director, Student Experience, Faculty of Arts University of Adelaide
    2006 - ongoing Associate Professor of French Studies University of Adelaide

  • Language Competencies
    Language Competency
    French Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    University of Bristol United Kingdom PhD
    University of Oxford United Kingdom BA / MA

  • Certifications
    Date Title Institution name Country
    — Graduate Certificate in Higher Education University of Adelaide -

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2023 Principal Supervisor The use of three-dimensionality and flatness in the films of Isao Takahata Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Idris Matthaeus Kellermann Williams
    2022 Co-Supervisor The Power of 'Bollywood': How Indian Cinema Bridges the Cultural and Socio-political Divide between India and China Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Yanyan Hong
    2022 Co-Supervisor "Satie, Cocteau, Picasso and the circus: the collaboration of "Parade" (1917)" Master of Philosophy Master Part Time Cathy Lynette Duncan

  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2015 - 2018 Co-Supervisor Western China on Screen: Cinema and Urban Exploration as Thirdspace Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Hongyan Zou
    2014 - 2017 Principal Supervisor Les Instants De Recueillement Et De Souvenir: La Deuxieme Guerre Mondiale Et Le Cinema Francais De 1995 A Nos Jours Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Lisa Harper Campbell
    2011 - 2015 Co-Supervisor L'EXCLUSION DES FEMMES DE LA VIE POLITIQUE : LA REPRESENTATION DES FEMMES POLITIQUES EN TANT QUE CANDIDATES A LA MAGISTRATURE SUPREME DANS LA CINQUIEME REPUBLIQUE. The Exclusion of Women from the World of Politics: The Representation of Female Politicians Running for the Highest Office in the Fifth French Republic. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Robert John Armstrong
    2010 - 2013 Co-Supervisor Cinematic Charisma as a political gateway in South India: The case of Tamil Nadu Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Dhamu Pongiyannan
    2009 - 2011 Co-Supervisor La Politique de la Diversité: la Nomination aux Postes de Gouvernement des Personnes de Couleur Sous la Présidence de Jacques Chirac et de Nicolas Sarkozy Master of Arts Master Full Time Mr Robert John Armstrong
    2008 - 2014 Co-Supervisor Histoire(s) of Art and the Commodity: Love, Death, and the Search for Community in William Gaddis and Jean-Luc Godard Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Damien Marwood
  • Position: Associate Professor
  • Phone: 83135149
  • Email: benjamin.mccann@adelaide.edu.au
  • Fax: 83134341
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Napier, floor 8
  • Org Unit: School of Humanities
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