Alison Wielgus has been a professor at the University of Wisconsin Superior since 2015 and currently is an Associate Professor of Media Studies within the Communication, Media and Theatre Department. Her research has often focused on feminist film theory and genre, and her most recent research has led to the publication of her own book, titled “Female Detectives on Post-network Television: Mother, Maiden, Cop”
Alison Wielgus in Office on Jan. 21. 2026
Photo by Alicia Zoltowski | The Promethean
The book is about female detectives on post 2000’s serialized television, as Wielgus works to explore the way that discourses of Me-Too, police abolition and Black Lives Matter mean, and are negotiated in female detective characters. The book is made up of an introduction, six chapters that each focus on a centralized thematic idea, and conclusion. Wielgus shared that her book was drafted very intentionally, and that “I really did work to make the intro of the chapter a nice way to like lead people who aren’t as familiar with these topics into it. And I think there’s a lot there that people might not expect.”
Wielgus is excited for her book to get out to people, and as this is her first book, she shared that “it’s really cool, honestly, it’s really cool” along with that “There is something really gratifying about getting to see a physical copy of it in the world, and like I’ve gotten to do that before. I’ve published stuff in journals, but it is different to have your name on the cover and be the sole author, and the heart of the project”
When it comes to why Wielgus finds her field of work important, she shared that “I think even if it’s not a plan to study it long term, understanding how the media you encounter shapes ideas that we carry with us all the time is so vital right now.” And for students that are interested in film or media studies, Wielgus shared that “I think if you are really interested in this as a field of study or even just want to know about it for yourself, part of the way you can make sense of trends or make sense of the way different things work is by really expanding your horizons as much as possible”.
Wielgus also shared that in her personal experience, she feels that “we underestimate how much certain types of academic conscience, especially when you are doing more qualitative or theoretical research is sort of about like I have a hunch…And it’s sometimes learning to trust those instincts and what you’re thinking about. Like why am I fascinated by this.”
Wielgus’ book is available to purchase through the Bloomsbury website and on amazon along with being available at the Jim Dan Hill Library has copies as well for people to check out. If anyone wants to hear more about her book, Wielgus says to feel free to drop in and talk to her, because she really is happy to talk to people about her book project.
