Columbia Associate Professor Molly Schneider Wins 2025 Broadcast Historian Award

Campus Communications Staff / Mar 10, 2025

head shot of molly schneider
Molly Schneider, PhD, receives the prestigious award for her book “Gold Dust on the Air: Television Anthology Drama and Midcentury American Culture.”

Columbia College Chicago is proud to announce that Molly Schneider, PhD, associate professor in the School of Film and Television, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Broadcast Historian Award by the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation (LABF). Schneider received the award for her book, Gold Dust on the Air: Television Anthology Drama and Midcentury American Culture. 

The LABF recognized Dr. Schneider's exceptional work in television history, particularly her exploration of midcentury American television anthology dramas. These shows, which aired from the late 1940s to the early 1960s, are celebrated for their cultural impact, exploring key societal issues while providing a unique form of entertainment. Schneider’s book delves into the significance of programs like “Playhouse 90,” “Studio One,” and “The Twilight Zone,” examining their roles in shaping American culture during a pivotal era. 

Through a combination of archival research and critical analysis, Schneider's “Gold Dust on the Air” reveals how anthology series reflected debates on identity, conformity, and the American experience against the backdrop of Cold War tensions. Her work offers a compelling narrative of how television served as a battleground for cultural and political discourse. 

Previously, Schneider’s work has appeared in prominent journals such as the “Journal of Film and Video” and the “New Review of Film and Television Studies.” She has also contributed to “The Many Lives of The Twilight Zone” anthology and has been interviewed about television history for various media outlets, including BBC Radio. As a highly respected figure in television studies, she has also been featured as an invited expert by  the UCLA Film & Television Archive. 

The Broadcast Historian Award is presented annually to educators who have made significant contributions to the study of broadcast history. Schneider’s award highlights the importance of her work in the field and serves as a proud moment for Columbia College Chicago’s School of Film and Television. 

Please join us in congratulating Molly Schneider for this well-deserved honor, and for her continued contributions to the study of television history. 

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