Paisley’s uni to lead study into lack of diversity in screen sector
Representation in the industry will be focus
Paisley academics are to lead a groundbreaking diversity research project to examine the “crisis” in representation in the Scottish screen sector.
The study, believed to be the first of its kind in Scotland, will see academics at the University of the West of Scotland and University of Glasgow team up with the BBC.
The study is aiming to identify barriers to entry in the screen industry, as well as shortcomings in the existing approaches to attracting and retaining a more diverse workforce in Scotland.
Research will be undertaken with school children and their parents, exploring attitudes and perceptions to working in the screen industries.
Ultimately, the three-and-a-half year collaboration, will also propose solutions on how to address the problem.
Khadija Mohammed, senior lecturer at UWS, said: “This project gives us the opportunity to centre voices that are often excluded from research, and to listen to how young people from minority ethnic backgrounds perceive the screen sector.
“The lack of representation in the industry both on and off screen is a serious issue.
“Young people can’t be what they can’t see, and it’s really important to remember that.
“If young people don’t see members of their community in these roles, they are less likely to aspire to work in that particular field.”
As part of the project, UWS - in partnership with the University of
Glasgow, the Scottish Graduate School for the Arts and Humanities, the Scottish Funding Council and BBC Scotland - is offering a three-and-a-half year, full-time, funded PhD.
The successful applicant will be based at the Creative Media Academy, which is on the UWS Paisley campus.
The doctoral student will also have the opportunity to be based at the BBC Scotland Pacific Quay headquarters, in Glasgow, for six months.
Professor Nick Higgins, director of the UWS Creative Media Academy and lead supervisor, added: “This is a very exciting opportunity to work on an incredibly important project.
“The lack of diversity in the Scottish screen industry means that some stories either cannot be told, or are not being told.
“The successful applicant will have the opportunity to work on a study that we hope will play a significant role in changing this.”
Margaret Mary Murray, head of Gaelic Services and Inclusion at BBC Scotland, said she is “delighted” to be involved.
She explained: “We’ve recently been working hard to increase the diversity of people our audiences see and hear on the BBC’s services in Scotland, so we’re delighted to provide practical support for a project that should help improve that even more.
“Having someone based in our offices and talking to our staff for six months should help provide some tangible insights into how the broadcast industry operates – and importantly, how it needs to adapt to be reflective of and relevant to our audiences.”
To apply, visit: https://bit.ly/2RqphYZ
Young people can’t be what they can’t see and it’s really important to remember that