dc.description.abstract | This transdisciplinary study examines the role of a participatory video production workshop (PVPW) in empowering its immigrant women participants in Brisbane, Australia. Media studies scholars have argued that media literacy education (critical awareness) and hands-on media production (everyday creativity) can increase the confidence and self-efficacy of individuals, resulting in them being more ‘active citizens’. Age, language and gender are three clear potential barriers to individuals participating in the public sphere. Immigrants from culturally diverse, non-English speaking backgrounds—specifically adult immigrant women from these groups—are at a greater risk of being marginalised due to a lack of knowledge and skills that are necessary to live in today’s participatory culture. Thus, the central question this study is designed to answer is: Can a PVPW assist participants in overcoming the double stigma of gender and ethnicity they experience in their host society?
The PVPW, which this study is based on that is a qualitative participatory research method, mainly based on participatory video method. The PVPW was deliberately designed to deliver knowledge (media literacy) and skills (video production) in a short period of four training sessions. The PVPW was conducted with six participants from the targeted groups in June–July 2014, in four formal training sessions and four editing sessions. The participants were interviewed at two stages: the start of the PVPW, and four weeks after completing their video production.
Analysis of the data, which was gathered from interviews, video recorded sessions, a questionnaire and the researcher’s reflective diary, shows a strong affiliation between the hands-on media literacy training and self-efficacy and confidence. Thus, this study argues that everyday creativity helps individuals be more active participants in the public sphere by shifting the sense of agency to those involved and giving them personal empowerment. | |