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Film club: One Last Farm
The “Reel Nature” Film clubs concluded the academic year with a screening of “One Last Farm,” directed by Nikki Dodd. This film illustrates the struggles of Yew Tree Farm, a vital biodiversity haven in Bristol. Audience discussions highlighted the importance of valuing nature and encouraged personal connections to local ecosystems. And we finished with this…
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Film Club: Fighting for the Underdog
This month’s film club showcased “Fighting for the Underdog,” a documentary by One Kai. It tells a story about the spurdog shark and emphasises the interconnectedness of marine stakeholders. The film provoked discussions on conservation perspectives, urging the audience to seek underrepresented voices. It highlights the complex relationships between fishermen and the environment, advocating for…
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Film Club: Buy Now!
The Reel Nature film club collaborated with the MAKERS Project to watch Buy Now! A Netflix documentary about overconsumption that reveals the marketing tricks used to lure us into buying more. It sparked emotional discussions among viewers about manipulation and personal responsibility. We all expressed guilt, outrage, and hope, emphasizing the need to consume less…
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Film Club: Chasing Ice
The film club screened “Chasing Ice,” a campaign film highlighting James Balog’s journey to document climate change in the Arctic. Audience reactions were overwhelmingly positive, finding inspiration in Balog’s sacrifices. While some felt disconnected due to the film’s characters and setting, discussions revealed a desire to engage more deeply with environmental issues at the film’s…
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Film Club: 2040
My monthly environmental film club at UWE attempts to engage students and staff in discussions on climate and environmental justice. This month’s film “2040”, directed by Damon Gameau’s inspires hope by highlighting existing solutions to environmental crises. After the screening we had great discussions about the variety of solutions that actually already exist, the topics…
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Conferences: Critical Studies in Television 2024
I presented at my first conference! The Critical Studies in Television Conference 2024 was hosted by Edge Hill University online for 2 weeks in June and July. It focused on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and featured amazing discussions on how television can inspire change. Here is a snippet about my nerve-wracking experience giving my…
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Imaginary Book club: How to Be Animal
Melanie Challenger’s “How to Be Animal” beautifully challenges the human-animal dichotomy, exploring its implications on society and the environment. The book delves into the historical, religious, and scientific perspectives on human-animal distinctions, shedding light on how these ideas shape societal hierarchies and environmental attitudes. Reconsidering our relationship with animals is therefore crucial for social justice…