American Book Awards
1 appearances
-
Edition 36 (2015) Winner
Astra Taylor
アストラ・テイラー
Asutora Teirā
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- 1979-09-30 （Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada）
- Nationality
- Canadian, American
- Languages
- English
- Residence History
- Athens, Georgia (raised) → New York (resident)
Career
- Occupations
- documentary filmmaker, writer, activist, musician, adjunct lecturer
- Active Years
- 2000-
- Affiliations
- Shuttleworth Foundation (Fellow), Debt Collective (co-founder), Democratic Socialists of America (member), Progressive International (council member)
- Memberships
- Democratic Socialists of America (member), Progressive International (council member)
- Influenced By
- Gilles Deleuze, Félix Guattari
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Georgia | — | — | — | 非連続的・若年期の受講 | United States |
| Brown University | — | — | — | 在籍1年、中退 | United States |
| The New School | — | Liberal Studies (M.A.) | Master of Arts | 修士課程修了 | United States |
University of Georgia
Period:
非連続的・若年期の受講
Country:
United States
Attended classes as a teenager
Brown University
Period:
在籍1年、中退
Country:
United States
Attended for one year, then dropped out
The New School
Liberal Studies (M.A.)
Degree:
Master of Arts
Period:
修士課程修了
Country:
United States
Completed M.A. in Liberal Studies
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Shuttleworth Foundation Fellowship | — | — | Shuttleworth Foundation | Fellow |
| 2024 | Governor General's Award for English-language non-fiction | The Age of Insecurity: Coming Together as Things Fall Apart | English-language non-fiction | Governor General's Awards | Shortlisted |
| 2024 | Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing | The Age of Insecurity: Coming Together as Things Fall Apart | — | Writers' Trust of Canada | Finalist |
Shuttleworth Foundation Fellowship
2015
Organization:
Shuttleworth Foundation
Result:
Fellow
Governor General's Award for English-language non-fiction
2024
Work:
The Age of Insecurity: Coming Together as Things Fall Apart
Category:
English-language non-fiction
Organization:
Governor General's Awards
Result:
Shortlisted
Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing
2024
Work:
The Age of Insecurity: Coming Together as Things Fall Apart
Organization:
Writers' Trust of Canada
Result:
Finalist
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Zizek!
2005 Documentary filmA documentary focused on philosopher Slavoj Žižek, featuring interviews and conversations that traverse his thought and cultural commentary.
philosophycontemporary thoughtcultural criticism
Examined Life
2008 Documentary filmA documentary that follows contemporary thinkers through cities, exploring ethics and the meanings of everyday life.
ethicspublicnessconversations with thinkers
What Is Democracy?
2018 Documentary filmA documentary re-examining the ideals and practices of democracy from perspectives around the world, contemplating power, participation, and institutions.
democracypowercivic participation
The People's Platform: Taking Back Power and Culture in the Digital Age
2014 Non-fiction (media criticism)A critical examination of cultural ecosystems and power structures in the digital age, arguing for rebuilding a public-minded cultural infrastructure.
digital culturepublicnesscultural infrastructure
Democracy May Not Exist, but We'll Miss It When It's Gone
2019 Non-fiction (political thought)An essay collection examining the crisis of democracy and its conceptual and practical significance.
democracypolitical theorypublic philosophy
The Age of Insecurity: Coming Together as Things Fall Apart
2023 Non-fiction (social commentary)An exploration of economic insecurity and social fragmentation, seeking solidarity and public solutions while rethinking the relation between individuals and communities.
insecuritysolidarityeconomics and politics
Bibliography
- Examined Life: Excursions with Contemporary Thinkers (editor)
- Occupy!: Scenes From Occupied America (co-editor)
- The People's Platform: Taking Back Power and Culture in the Digital Age
- Democracy May Not Exist, but We'll Miss It When It's Gone
- Remake the World: Essays, Reflections, Rebellions
- The Age of Insecurity: Coming Together as Things Fall Apart
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- clear, persuasive essayistic prosepolitical writing engaged with current affairsbridges academic argument and popular expression
- Recurring Motifs
- democracy and participationdebt and economic insecurityrebuilding public culturemaking power structures visible
Legacy
Through documentary films and political essays, she has advanced discussions on democracy, publicness, and economic insecurity. Her organizing work and media criticism are recognized for their influence.
Academic Societies
- No specific academic society membership clearly documented
In Popular Culture
- Performed onstage with Neutral Milk Hotel, playing guitar and accordion (2013–2014)
Quotes
-
Why had I felt compelled to enroll in an Ivy League school, to excel by the standards of conventional education and choose a 'difficult' major, instead of making my own way? What was I afraid of?
Source: Interview / reflection (on enrolling at Brown University) (2014)
Trivia
- She is vegan.
- Her sister is painter and disability activist Sunaura Taylor.
- Married to Jeff Mangum (2008).
- Joined Neutral Milk Hotel onstage to perform (2013–2014).
- Co-founder of Debt Collective, involved in debt abolition organizing.