This research cluster brings together all those who are interested in exploring the connections between disciplinary sociology and the medium of film. There are a number of members of the department who are exploring these intersections - either through making films, working collaboratively with filmmakers and visual artists, or studying the digital visual artifacts in their research. We aim to create a research community to explore the theoretical and methodological questions that emerge from such practices. These questions include:
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How might insights from visual art and film affect sociological thinking?
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How might sociological thinking affect visual art and filmmaking?
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What are the tensions - in methods, ethics, orientation and practice - when these modes of thinking and producing combine?
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Is there specific productive potential in combining these approaches when the focus of such projects relates to the capacities of digital technologies?
As the questions are theoretical and methodological, they allow connections to be drawn between members of the department working in different empirical locations. We aim to bring artistic works, or those involved in creative practice, into conversation with sociologists who have empirical expertise related to the content of the film or visual art in question.
Format
We host screenings and reading and discussion-based sessions, at least one per term and up to three. We have shown films produced by, or in collaboration with department members; as well as artists and filmmakers beyond the University. Thematically, these events have covered a diverse range of empirical contexts, including indigenous activism in the Brazilian Amazon, social media algorithmic personification practices in the UK, acts of remembering and forgetting in nationalist and conflict-ridden contexts, and on the afterlives of natural disaster in the eastern Mediterranean.
Our area of focus encourages us to consider how we might use digital methodologies for engagement, and we hope to encourage participation in our public facing events from those working outside of the academy and/or outside the UK through hybrid sessions and online participation where possible.
Those interested in sharing their visual art or film-based work are invited to contact one of the convenors listed below.
Convenors and contact
In the 2024-2025 academic year, the cluster was convened by Erkan Gürsel, Isabelle Higgins, Tom Kissock-Mamede and Seetha Tan.
In the 2025-2026 academic year, the cluster is convened by Erkan Gürsel and Isabelle Higgins
Please contact Erkan (eg710@cam.ac.uk) and Isabelle (irth2@cam.ac.uk) with any questions. We always welcome members of the department interested in joining the convening team to be in touch. We are also very open to hearing ideas for events and screenings.
If you are interested in learning about when our events will take place, you can sign up to our mailing list here.