Media, communication and digital cultures

CCSE members have expertise in digital media, curatorial practice, events and communications. We have previous research commissions from Renfrewshire Council, South Lanarkshire Council and the Big Lottery. Within this theme, we utilise the expertise of our staff in examining the affordances of digital and social media in enabling (and constraining) participation in civic life. Professor David McGillivray led the Digital Commonwealth project and, along with Professor Gayle McPherson and Dr Matthew Frew, has experience of digital storytelling, digital citizenship and tackling digital poverty. Recent commissioned projects in this area include an evaluation of a place-based digital inclusion initiative, Citizen Voice in Renfrewshire and a commission from SCVO exploring the importance of Digital Ethics in the deliuvery of digital inclusion initiatives in Scotland. Professor Katarzyna Kosmala has experience of showcasing and exhibiting.

CCSE has PhD students researching these areas of interest with Dr James Mahon studying mobile journalism practice in four countries, and Dr Julie Osakwe exploring social media campaigns and the political process in Nigeria. Currently, Naheed Akhtar is exploring the role of social media as a form of political communication in Pakistan and Irene Warner-Macintosh has adopted a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach to digital inclusion for vulnerable populations in Scotland.