Research in the Department of Media and Communications examines how changes in media and communications shape, and are shaped by, social, cultural, political, economic, and historical developments. We draw upon and contribute to multiple disciplinary agendas. Our concern is with inequalities, discrimination, representation, voice and violence in an unevenly media-saturated society. We examine structures, processes, practices and discourses and their role in power relations on the global, national and local levels. We are committed to de-Westernising scholarship and to undertaking comparative and transnational research.
Our research is organised around four intersecting themes:
Media Culture and Identities
What are the roles of media and communications in shaping narratives, identities and lived experience? How do media and communications support or hinder identities, cultures and solidarities associated with race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, class and the city, age and generation?
Media Participation and Politics
What role do media and communications play in political socialisation, participation, mobilisation and protest around the world? What resources are available to citizens and other stakeholders and how are these mediating their participation?
Communication Histories and Futures
What is the origin and history of media representations, contemporary discourses and narratives? How are these connected to ideologies, imaginaries and narratives about the future? How do they contribute to broader processes of social change?
Communication, Technology, Rights and Justice
What are the issues of rights and justice that are significant for the development of media and communications including algorithms? What national and global policy and regulatory responses are needed to achieve citizen sovereignty over the use of data and digital services?
We investigate media and communications in multiple contexts. Our engaged theoretical and methodological approaches tackle the ethical implications of media and communications in relation to norms of democracy, equality and inclusiveness, quality of life and recognition of ‘the other’ (or of others) as they concern the global North and South and transnational relations.
We:
- generate original research insights and findings,
- produce research and publications to the highest possible international standard of excellence, and
- enhance the intellectual standing of our field.
We do so by:
- educating and training doctoral students at the cutting edge of research, and
- ensuring our research contributes to and impacts on public debates, media and communication policy, industry practice, and third sector agendas.