Laurence SimmonsLaurence Simmons is Head of Department of Film, Television and Media Studies at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. In 1992, with another colleague, he helped set up an interdisciplinary Centre in Film, Television and Media Studies at The Univerity of Auckland. This unit, of which he is now Head, grew rapidly and is rated as the top unit in its field in New Zealand following the most recent national research ranking exercise. The Department's research and teaching focuses on history, theory, aesthetics, industry studies and screen production. His research interests embrace several different areas: critical theory including screen theory, contemporary visual culture; television and media studies, New Zealand cinema, and Italian cinema. He has published 2 sole-authored books, 8 edited collections, contributed 25 chapters to books, and published 35 refereed journal articles. Read More Read Less