There has been quite a bit of discussion recently about the formation of BAFTSS, the British Association of Film, Television and Screen Studies. As members of the MECCSA Executive Committee who identify ourselves as working within this general area, we would like to make it clear that we refute the claim that there is a need for a separate body, and would actively encourage the establishment of a film, television and screen studies network within MECCSA.
Moreover, not only is there no need for a separate organisation but its presence would be politically damaging to the sector in general and its constituent elements: any division will allow Government, HEFCE, the AHRC, Skillset, etc., to play us off against one another or ignore both organisations on the grounds that neither is representative of the field as a whole.
Finally, we are also concerned with the announcement of a postgraduate network, given the investment that MECCSA have put into the Postgraduate Network and the number of doctoral students working within film and TV who currently benefit from it.
In short, MECCSA already represents film, television and screen studies and the goals that the new association sets for itself, but we believe that these interests and goals are being threatened rather than promoted by the formation of a separate group.
Signed by
John Ellis, Royal Holloway, University of London
Mark Jancovich, University of East Anglia
Tim O'Sullivan, De Montfort University
Sue Thornham (Chair of Meccsa), University of Sussex
Professor Mark Jancovich
Head of School
Film and Television Studies
University of East Anglia
Norwich NR4 7TJ
Tel: 01603 592787
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MeCCSA is the subject association for the field of media, communication and cultural studies in UK Higher Education. Membership is open to all who teach and research these subjects in HE institutions, via either institutional or individual membership. The field includes film and TV production, journalism, radio, photography, creative writing, publishing, interactive media and the web; and it includes higher education for media practice as well as for media studies.
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