**University of Pittsburgh Establishes World’s First Horror Studies Center**
*By Apoorva Rastogi | Oct 01, 2025, 04:53 PM*
The University of Pittsburgh has announced the creation of the world’s first-ever Horror Studies Center. Housed within the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, this innovative initiative aims to consolidate and expand existing projects, including the Horror Studies Collection, which preserves the papers and works of acclaimed filmmaker George A. Romero.
### Leadership and Vision
The new center will be led by Adam Lowenstein, a professor of English and Film and Media Studies at Pitt. Lowenstein is an internationally recognized expert in horror studies and has been a faculty member since 1999. Expressing his excitement about the venture, Lowenstein said, “A center like this is something I’ve always dreamed of.”
### Research Focus: Horror as a Social Force
The Horror Studies Center sets out to explore horror’s significant role as a social force. Among its key initiatives is the *Horror Genre as a Social Force* scholar community. Other programs include the Global Horror Studies Archival and Research Network (GHSARN), the Horror Studies Working Group, and the George A. Romero Foundation.
These programs aim to investigate how horror intersects with a wide range of disciplines, such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, and literature, highlighting horror’s complex cultural impact.
### Shifting Perceptions of Horror in Academia
Despite horror’s increasing popularity, Lowenstein acknowledges that the genre is still often regarded as unworthy of serious academic study. He believes the new center will help change this mindset.
“There’s a general perception that horror and art are allergic to each other. I don’t believe in this at all, and I think that the Horror Studies Center will work overtime to make sure that perception gets changed,” Lowenstein noted.
### A Global and Cultural Perspective on Horror
Lowenstein views horror as existing along a spectrum—from “loud” horror, which is characterized by gore and fantastical elements, to “quiet” horror, which is more disturbing and haunting. He believes both extremes offer much to learn.
Additionally, Lowenstein highlights the presence of horror in unexpected places, such as surrealism. In his 2014 book *Dreaming of Cinema*, he argues that surrealism has roots in horror.
The center also plans to strengthen global connections through the GHSARN’s existing ties with countries including Canada, Australia, the UK, and Japan, fostering an international dialogue around horror studies.
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The establishment of the University of Pittsburgh’s Horror Studies Center marks a groundbreaking step in legitimizing horror as a vital academic field and cultural phenomenon. Through its interdisciplinary research and global collaborations, the center promises to deepen our understanding of horror’s complex role in society.
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