Film Literacy: Can teaching about film in Bradford schools improve pupils’ levels of achievement?
This Bradford UNESCO City of Film inspired project offers a unique opportunity to pursue a fully-funded PhD at the University of Bradford in collaboration with the University of Leeds, Bradford Education and Learning and support from the National Media Museum and the British Film Institute (BFI). Bradford City of Film has committed to enabling the regeneration of Bradford by making it the world’s best city in which to enjoy, learn about and make film and screen based media. This PhD thesis will make a very important contribution to an emergent area in film and media studies and wider issues relating to literacy and society.
About the project:
In 2010 -11 a small pilot study was undertaken in Bradford using a BFI conceived Film Literacy Lead Practitioner scheme to embed film literacy in to 10 primary schools. The approach had a very promising effect on boy’s levels of attainment in writing. From September 2012 onwards this approach will be rolled out to more schools as the first step in a longer term plan to reach all schools in Bradford.
It is likely that this long term project will include the in-depth study of a small number of teachers and pupils involved, as well as a more general study of a larger number of schools, to track what happens to pupils’ levels of achievement when they are taught about film – how to ‘read’ and make film – as part of their regular literacy lessons where their latent knowledge of film is actively utilised.
Contextual research into film literacy in schools will be undertaken.
There will be a particular focus on the role of the teacher and the extent to which they have the confidence to be creative in inspiring and enabling discussion and work about film in the classroom. This model of enquiry will lead to the generation of validated conclusions that may be used as evidence in future to support the effectiveness and value of teaching about film in schools. The PhD will be aligned with one of the Bradford UNSECO City of Film Learn objectives.
For more information on Bradford City of Film please visit:
www.bradford-city-of-film.com
This PhD will be co-supervised by Dr Mark Goodall from the University of Bradford and Dr Becky Parry from the University of Leeds.
Studentship Information:
The studentship is tenable for up to 3 years full-time from 1 October 2012. Applicants should normally have, or expect soon to be awarded, a Masters degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. education, literacy education, film education).
The studentship provides an annual maintenance grant payment of £10,000 and fees of £3,825.
PLEASE NOTE applications are only accepted from UK Home and EU students
The deadline for receipt of applications is 31 August 2012
Application forms are available from:
http://scim.brad.ac.uk/?i=20120330
Please also write 600-1000 words detailing how you would approach the project, considering the following points:
a) how your previous experience would equip you to undertake the proposed research;
b) how you would formulate the project within the parameters laid down by the project description, particularly emphasizing any areas where you think it could usefully be developed;
c) how you envisage the collaborative nature of the project being of benefit to your study; and
d) how you consider the proposed research would further your future plans.
For help with applying please contact Ashleigh Veres on: 01274 234286 or A.Veres@bradford.ac.uk
Interested candidates are strongly recommended to contact Dr Mark Goodall before making an application using 01274 236071 or m.goodall@bradford.ac.uk AFTER 13th August 2012.
