Changing Attitudes through Media Representations of Disability (CAMRED)

The school is implementing a two-year international collaborative research project, Changing Attitudes through Media Representations of Disability (CAMRED), funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), UK. CAMRED is an international research programme examining how media portrayals of disability influence public attitudes and foster social change.

Bringing together expertise from media studies, social psychology and disability studies, the programme examines how storytelling, audiovisual techniques and production practices influence audience perceptions of disability.

Working closely with industry and community partners in the United Kingdom and Kenya, CAMRED supports more nuanced, intersectional and socially responsible portrayals of disability across different media and cultural contexts. The programme combines media analysis, audience research, industry engagement and community collaboration to identify representation practices that can contribute to positive social change.

Research activities include:

• analysis of film, television and social media content

• interviews, focus groups and participatory workshops with media professionals and disability communities

• audience focus groups and experimental studies with different viewer groups

A central focus of CAMRED is the development of practical, evidence-based resources for broadcasters, journalists, filmmakers, media creators, activists and educators. The programme also develops public engagement activities, toolkits, reports, publications and collaborative networks that connect researchers, media professionals and disability communities.

Research team 

1. Principal Investigator: Dr. Catalin Brylla (Principal Lecturer in Film and Television), Bournemouth University
2. Co-Investigator: Dr. John Ndavula (Senior Lecturer in Mass Communication), Murang’a University of Technology
3. Co-Investigator: Dr. Jackie Lidubwi (Lecturer in Mass Communication), Africa Nazarene University
4. Post-doctoral Research Associate: Dr. Kevin Nayema

Kenya partners: 

• Kenya Union of Journalist (KUJ)
• Signs Media
• ANDY
• Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC)