The Power of New Media in the Equity Narrative

This presentation will focus on the storytelling capacity of media in capturing and presenting the narratives of students from equity backgrounds and their parents/caregivers. It will describe the aims, stylistic film-making... [ view full abstract ]

This presentation will focus on the storytelling capacity of media in capturing and presenting the narratives of students from equity backgrounds and their parents/caregivers. It will describe the aims, stylistic film-making approach and equity considerations involved in producing effective multi-media resources, using Griffith’s new parent/caregiver engagement resource as a specific example.

Parents With Impact is a series of stylistic micro-documentaries which explores individual student journeys to tertiary education and reflects on the roles of parents/caregivers in facilitating student success. This web-based resource responds to an identified need for targetted parental engagement in Griffith’s school and community outreach programs and highlights positive stories about parents who value higher education for their children and themselves.

The presentation will outline how this resource was developed as a creative collaboration between staff and student mentors. It will encompass other forms and functions of online media tools produced by Student Equity Services as well as future-proofing strategies used around development of new media resources, student engagement and program integration. It will be a practical demonstration of the positive intersection of film-making skills and equity practitioner expertise in developing innovative and multi-dimensional outreach and community engagement resources that have multiple applications across wider outreach initiatives.