Social Strategy • Digital Landscapes • Communications Consulting
MY RESEARCH
Master's in Science in Global Media and Culture - Georgia Institute of Technology
MS PROJECT: "EURO-MERICA?":
CULTURAL CONSTRUCTION, ANGLICIZATION, AND EXPANSION
IN THE EUROVISION SONG CONTEST
The bulk of my research focuses on the Eurovision Song Contest – a supranational mechanism that explores national identity, political climates, and technological capabilities all through the performance of original song. Although it has been around for 65 years and is the most-watched live music event in the world, many Americans have little to no knowledge of the contest. In 2019 the European Broadcast Union announced plans to expand the contest to the U.S. by 2021. My research looks at the impacts of the expanding contest culturally and technologically.
VIDEO PROJECT: EUROVISION EXPANSION
As part of my journey as a master's student in Georgia Tech's Global Media and Culture program, I am looking closely at the issues of cultural construction and expansion at the Eurovision Song Contest and what are the implications in specific terms of entrance into new markets and shared cultural experiences that transcend borders. I plan to continue this multimedia project as I progress through the program – discussing expansion with fans, journalists, and cultural experts.
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Find the video at the bottom of the page.
WORKING WITH THE EUROPEAN BROADCAST UNION
Prior to the cancellation of ESC 2020, I had been confirmed by the European Broadcast Union to work as a researcher alongside hundreds of members of the the international press corps covering the contest. I plan to defer this until 2021, pending the announcement of the next edition of the event.
INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS
My research project was accepted for an international conference at the University of Sydney in Australia. I also worked with journalists from Australia's SBS and ABU to develop a panel discussing similarities between Australia's Eurovision experience and the contest's expansion to America.
POLITICS OF REPRESENTATION IN FRANCOPHONE FILMS
In addition to my Eurovision research, I've looked in-depth at themes of politics and representation in global Francophone films. This includes a close analysis of Senegalese cinematographer Ousmane Sembane's groundbreaking film "La Noire De..." as a revolutionary tool and the role of maternal heroic figures in Francophone films of Xavier Dolan and Denis Villenueve.
ANALYSIS OF POPULAR FRENCH MEDIA
I have completed a case study of France's TV5Monde and its current position in the mass media market as well as and explored the complicated nature of gender roles and expression in French pop music culture.
VIDEO:
Eurovision Expansion
As part of my journey as a master's student in Georgia Tech's Global Media and Culture program, I am looking closely at the issues of cultural construction and expansion at the Eurovision Song Contest and what are the implications in specific terms of entrance into new markets and shared cultural experiences that transcend borders. I plan to continue this multimedia project as I progress through the program – discussing expansion with fans, journalists, and cultural experts.