Culture, Media & Creative Industries Research

Laura
Culture, Media & Creative Industries Research MPhil/PhD, option of joint PhD with Humboldt University (Berlin)

I chose to study at King’s because my department (Culture, Media and Creative Industries) was the only one I found that had a truly interdisciplinary research agenda that incorporated all the strands of my research – popular music, digital media and identity politics. One of the things I enjoy most about my programme is how self-directed it is. You are in control of your research, time, seminars and training, so you can shape and tailor the programme specifically to your interests and needs. The diverse and interdisciplinary nature of the department means I am exposed to, and learn a lot from, other PhD students and staff because of the variety of research topics and social theories studied. Also, the international make-up of the department means I now have friends from all over the world!

 

Last year I received a grant from the Graduate School Open Competition to set up an Arts & Humanities Researchers’ Society for early career researchers at King’s. Founding and running this society has been a highlight of my time at King’s because of the people I have met through doing it, as well as the skills I’ve developed in events management, publicity and public speaking. These skills and experiences will enhance my employability both inside and outside academia after I graduate.

 

The central location, beautiful historic buildings and excellent facilities make it a pleasure to study at King’s, but its most attractive strength is the wealth of opportunity to get involved in wide-ranging activities and organisations either at a departmental, school, or college level. The huge potential to forge links, utilize resources, contribute to, and thus enhance, the intellectual and collegial community of the university, makes it an exciting and dynamic place to be.

Rachel
Canadian/Irish
Culture, Media & Creative Industries Research MPhil/PhD, option of joint PhD with Humboldt University (Berlin)

For those working at interstices of cultural studies, gender theory, critical psychology and sociology, the Centre for Culture, Media and Creative Industries Research (CMCI) provides an exciting and dynamic intellectual environment. Indeed, it was the CMCI's reputation for innovation which first led me to apply to King's College London for my PhD research.

Once installed in the CMCI PhD workroom in the Chesham Building of the Strand campus, I soon came to appreciate the further benefits of working within this institution. Combining academic distinction and public presence, the CMCI houses internationally recognised leaders in the field, who double as interested and engaged research supervisors. My own supervisor, Professor Ros Gill, is an inspiring presence in my academic life.

The department's unique programme of study incorporates weekly seminars and specialist research training, as well as frequent outings to the CMCI local over the road! The wide variety of lectures and events on offer at King's ensures that there is ample opportunity for creative and interdisciplinary engagement. As part of the University of London network, I further benefit from links with other universities and cultural institutions around the city. Generously supported by a scholarship from the Graduate School here at King's, I am able to undertake my studies full-time.

Richard Howells
Culture, Media & Creative Industries Research MPhil/PhD, option of joint PhD with Humboldt University (Berlin)
Working with research students is one of the best things about university teaching. There's always that special moment to look forward to when you realise that they now know more about their specialist topic than you do, and you start thinking aloud about their first book.
We've been offering a highly successful MA programme for several years now, and we've recently added the new PhD. We are gathering an eclectic and highly capable group of students, the diversity of whose efforts mirror my own.
I began my career in newspaper and broadcast journalism, and have extended this unabashed curiosity about the world to my scholarly work. My research interests have spread from case studies such as the myth of the Titanic to the humour of Ali G. They are united by asking the big questions about culture: what it is, why do we have it and what does it tell us about ourselves? Frequently, that means taking the seemingly trivial seriously and applying scholarly rigour to the everyday.