Event Details

With the closure of cinemas and cultural venues, growth of streaming audio/video platforms, controversial advice that cultural workers should retrain and contested practices of journalism and social media platforms, the covid-19 pandemic has been an interesting time within the cultural industries.

In this conversation, Dr. Robert Gutsche Jr. and Dr. Maryam Ghorbankarimi share their perspectives on how, in the context of these challenges and changes, we might think about and shape the future of film and journalism. They will draw upon their experience teaching critical media and film practice, as well as their experience as practitioner/researchers – developing a podcast to engage with professional journalists (Dr. Gutsche) and directing and editing short films (Dr. Ghorbankarimi).

Dr. Robert Gutsche Jr. is a Senior Lecturer in Critical Digital Media Practice. He has worked to bridge journalism, theatre, science communication, and virtual reality related to sea level rise. His research is in the field of Journalism Studies, and he currently produces a podcast about journalism, The J Word, which is on all major platforms.

Dr. Maryam Ghorbankarimi is a Lecturer in Film Practice. Her research is on women and Middle Eastern Cinema, both in front and behind the camera. She is also a filmmaker and has begun her production company Bina Film in collaboration with other creative minds in the North West England in 2020. Her post-lockdown short film Slots is due to be release in March this year.

What makes a memorable conversation? The ‘In conversation’ webinar series will explore how memorable conversations might emerge from putting together different kinds of voices – such as staff, students and teachers from different disciplines and backgrounds. We hope that the variety of themes will engage you in interesting conversations of your own. This webinar series is produced by the Sociology Department at Lancaster University, which is home to degrees in Sociology, Media and Cultural Studies and Social Work, in association with other colleagues at Lancaster University.