Research in CFMDC embraces both theoretical and practice-based elements of film, media, discourse and culture. Current topics of interest include early US television, ranging from examination of anthology hosts through to actors such as Adam West and directors such as Wes Anderson, Kathryn Bigelow and Andrea Arnold.
Horror, science fiction and fantasy are further key subjects of research in the context of gender, terrorism and Marxist discourse while ongoing projects involving ecocriticism entail psychoanalytical approaches to eco-film narratives as well as ethnographic study of sustainable lifestyles.
We are also currently working on aspects of medical humanities as relevant to media discourses concerning HIV/AIDS and COVID-19.
Explore CFMDC
Research in Film and Screen Studies in the School of Arts is managed through the Centre for Film, Media, Discourse and Culture. As the centre’s outputs indicate, much of its research is interdisciplinary and comprises various key narratives as they relate to media: the medical humanities; loneliness and trauma; adaptation studies and eco-psychoanalysis; and political radicalism and terrorism. Led by Pheasant-Kelly, the Centre’s research in these areas has resulted in numerous publications, the organisation of a number of international conferences and the instigation of impact-driven collaborative projects.
The Centre’s priorities are: to develop funding bid submissions that address societal challenges; prioritise impact and interdisciplinarity through the development of case studies that focus on mental health, cultural heritage, medical humanities and eco-criticism; promote inclusivity as it relates to film and the performing arts; expand our PhD community; extend open access to our research; and use research to inform the development of a cutting-edge curriculum. To this end, an overarching aim is to foster novel forms of collaboration with non-HEI stakeholders.
An important objective of our research is to promote inclusivity in the film industry, and their associated audiences, cultures and histories. Target beneficiaries in our impact strategy therefore include historically-excluded communities and individuals, such as women and LGTBQ+ and BAME groups as well as those with disability, those who have unequal or absent recourse to digital learning and teaching, and those who are subject to distorted or forgotten histories.
For example, ‘Minding the Media/Culture Gap’ focuses on gaps in inclusivity in relation to digital literacy in educators, the historical framing of filmmaker Michael Reeves, the accessibility of theatre performance by visually impaired audiences, and representation of LGBTQ+ performers.
We measure the effectiveness of dissemination via audience attendance at our public discussions and academic conferences, and website visits. Resulting impact is monitored via written feedback at conferences and public discussions, reviews of publications, performances and artefacts, citations, and critical reviews. In the context of our case studies, this feedback has been used to evidence how our research has changed views, understanding and perceptions of filmmakers, artefacts, modes of delivery, and digital learning and teaching techniques.
- Kirsten Adkins
- Andrew Cole
- Martin Drayton
- Rebecca Harris-Smith
- Anita Goldschmied
- Timothy Gough
- Amanda Jenkins
- Safire Jones
- Selbin Kabote
- Konstantinos Kerasovitis
- Scott Martin
- Joseph Ndjomo
- Christopher Parr
- Emma Paulley
- Alexander Pointon
- Carl Sweeney
- Melissa Tisdale
- Thomas Wilson
- Robert Wright
We currently have several funded projects in progress, one concerned with digital literacy across European and UK educational institutions, and another having an ecocritical perspective:
- Dr Bianca Fox
- ERASMUS project
- MeLDE: Media Literacy in the Digitalised Era
- Erasmus+ 2018 Key Action 2 Strategic Partnerships for the Field of Education (2018-2021- UK01-KA201-048041)
- £29,3743.75
- Find more information here
- Dr Stephen Jacobs
- Leverhulme Research Fellowship
- How green is your valley? Everyday life at the centre for alternative technology
- £53,305
- Find more information here
- Postal address: Screen School, University of Wolverhampton
- Twitter: @CentreDiscourse
- E-mail us