Women in Film and Television UK (WFTV) unveiled plans for a new research institute at its recent Making A Difference Conference. According to a press release, the new Research Institute for Gender in Media (RIGM) “is a global network focusing on contemporary research into gender issues in the creative industries including film, television, and gaming.”
Founded by academics Lyndsay Duthie and Kim Akass, London Film School CEO Jane Roscoe, and WFTV CEO Kate Kinninmont, RIGM “will encompass both academic and industry research across the full spectrum of screen-based media to produce a global statistical picture of the Film and TV industry.” What sets RIGM apart from other centers dedicated to studying gender in the media is its international focus. Most centers study the patterns of one country or region, but RIGM’s research will look at the global picture in order to identify wide-ranging issues and generate solutions.
“WFTV has undertaken a wide range of initiatives to improve the industry experience for women, including some strong research projects,” Kinninmont emphasized. “But RIGM will turbocharge the entire research field and give us a real chance to transform the future.”
Currently, RIGM’s executive board includes Duthie, Akass, Kinninmont, Roscoe, and professors Sue Turnbull and Martha Nochimson — executives and academics from the UK, the U.S., Europe, and Australia. The institute plans to take on more experts from around the world as RIGM expands.
Visit WFTV’s website or follow WFTV and RIGM on Twitter for more information.
