Dr. Emily Zarka
Introduction
Dr Emily Zarka has emerged as one of the most recognisable public scholars working at the intersection of folklore, Gothic literature, and monster studies. Trained as a literary academic yet fluent in digital storytelling, she has successfully bridged the long-standing gap between university scholarship and popular culture. Holding a PhD in English Literature from Arizona State University, Dr Emily Zarka is best known to global audiences as the creator, writer, and host of Monstrum, the acclaimed PBS Digital Studios series that explores monsters as reflections of human history, fear, and belief.
What distinguishes Dr Emily Zarka from many scholars in her field is her commitment to accessibility. Rather than isolating folklore within academic journals, she presents it as a living tradition that continues to shape how societies understand morality, identity, and the unknown. Through video essays, documentaries, podcasts, and public lectures, she reframes monsters not as fantasy curiosities but as cultural records of human anxiety, desire, and imagination. Her work consistently reinforces one core idea: monster history is inseparable from human history.
Area of Expertise
Dr Emily Zarka’s academic expertise is rooted in Gothic literature, folklore, and horror studies, with a particular emphasis on British Romantic and early Victorian texts. Her doctoral research focused on how undead figures in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries functioned as tools for exploring knowledge, desire, and social unease. Rather than treating monsters as symbolic abstractions, she examines how they emerge from specific historical pressures such as colonialism, scientific advancement, religious conflict, and gender politics.
At Arizona State University, where she teaches literature and composition courses, Dr Emily Zarka is often described as the institution’s “monster expert.” Her teaching extends beyond canonical texts to include film, television, and oral traditions, allowing students to understand folklore as a dynamic cultural system. Her expertise also includes posthumanism, the female authorial voice in horror, and the relationship between material culture and monstrosity. Across all these areas, her scholarship consistently asks why societies create monsters and what those creations reveal about collective fears and values.
Books & Publications
While Dr Emily Zarka has not yet published a single-author academic monograph, her body of work spans scholarly writing, digital humanities, and popular media. Her doctoral dissertation, Monstrous Bodies of Knowledge: The Undead as Epistemological Tool in the Romantic Period, remains a significant academic contribution to monster theory and Gothic studies.
Beyond traditional academia, Dr Emily Zarka has written and narrated Serial Killers: Real and Imagined, an Audible Original that traces how real crimes and folklore intertwine to shape the modern serial killer archetype. She has also contributed forewords and essays to edited volumes on folklore and horror, alongside peer-reviewed articles examining gender, sexuality, and monstrosity in literature and media. Her scripts for Monstrum and the PBS documentary Exhumed: A History of Zombies further demonstrate her ability to translate complex research into compelling narrative forms without sacrificing accuracy or nuance.
Research & Contributions
Dr Emily Zarka’s most influential contribution lies in redefining how folklore scholarship reaches the public. Through Monstrum, she has transformed monster studies into a form of digital public humanities, presenting rigorously researched episodes on figures ranging from Baba Yaga and vampires to zombies, dragons, and cryptids. Each episode situates the monster within its cultural, historical, and literary context, often correcting misconceptions created by modern media adaptations.
Her research methodology prioritises original sources, including folklore traditions, early literary texts, and non-Western perspectives that are frequently overlooked. This approach allows her work to challenge Eurocentric narratives and highlight the global nature of monstrous traditions. Beyond video media, Dr Emily Zarka regularly speaks at universities, museums, and cultural institutions, reinforcing the idea that folklore remains relevant to discussions about identity, violence, and social change. Her scholarship demonstrates how monsters help societies process taboo subjects, collective trauma, and ethical uncertainty.
Awards & Recognitions
Although Dr Emily Zarka’s career is defined more by public impact than formal accolades, her work has received notable recognition. Monstrum and Exhumed: A History of Zombies have earned multiple Telly Awards for educational and cultural storytelling, as well as Webby nominations for writing and digital excellence. These honours reflect the high production and intellectual standards of her work rather than popularity alone.
Within academic and media circles, Dr Emily Zarka is recognised as a trusted expert on folklore and Gothic studies. Her inclusion in professional expert databases and frequent invitations to speak at conferences, conventions, and media panels underscore her authority in the field. The continued growth of PBS Storied, which reached over one million subscribers, further highlights her role in shaping contemporary public understanding of mythology and monsters.
Social Media Profiles
Dr Emily Zarka maintains an active online presence that complements her scholarly work rather than replacing it. Through platforms such as Instagram and YouTube, she shares research insights, behind-the-scenes reflections, and commentary on folklore in modern culture. Her official website, dremilyzarka.com, serves as a central hub for her academic credentials, media projects, and speaking engagements.
Rather than using social media for trend-driven content, Dr Emily Zarka approaches it as an extension of public education. This measured and thoughtful engagement has helped her cultivate a loyal audience that values depth, accuracy, and cultural sensitivity. Her digital presence reinforces her reputation as a scholar who respects both academic rigor and popular curiosity.
Sources
Wikipedia contributors. (2025, January 10). Emily Zarka. In Wikipedia. Retrieved December 13, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_Zarka
Zarka, E. (n.d.). Dr. Emily Zarka. Retrieved December 13, 2025, from https://www.dremilyzarka.com/
– Women’s Media Center. (n.d.). Dr. Emily Zarka, PhD. SheSource expert profile. Retrieved December 13, 2025, from https://womensmediacenter.com/shesource/expert/dr-emily-zarka-phd
Women Also Know History. (n.d.). Emily Zarka. Individual scholar page. Retrieved December 13, 2025, from https://womenalsoknowhistory.com/individual-scholar-page/?pdb=2106
LinkedIn. (n.d.). Dr. Emily Zarka. Retrieved December 13, 2025, from https://www.linkedin.com/in/dremilyzarka
Arizona State University. (n.d.). Faculty profile: Dr. Emily Zarka. Retrieved December 13, 2025, from https://womenalsoknowhistory.com/individual-scholar-page/?pdb=2106
Zarka, E. (n.d.). Curriculum Vitae. Dr. Emily Zarka official website. Retrieved December 13, 2025, from https://www.dremilyzarka.com/c-v
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dr Emily Zarka?
Dr Emily Zarka is a folklore scholar, writer, and media host best known for creating and presenting PBS’s Monstrum, a series exploring the cultural history of monsters.
What is Dr Emily Zarka’s academic background?
She holds a PhD in English Literature from Arizona State University, specialising in Gothic literature, folklore, and monster studies.
What is Monstrum by Dr Emily Zarka about?
Monstrum examines monsters from mythology, folklore, and popular culture, explaining their historical origins and cultural meanings.
Did Dr Emily Zarka work on zombie history?
Yes, she co-wrote and hosted Exhumed: A History of Zombies, a PBS documentary tracing zombies from folklore to modern media.
