David Gauntlett (b. March 15, 1971) is a social scientist specialising in the study of contemporary media audiences, and the role of media in shaping self-identity. He took his PhD and then taught at the University of Leeds, UK, from 1993 to 2001. He was appointed Professor of Media and Audiences at Bournemouth University, UK, at the age of 31, in 2001.

His critique of media 'effects' studies sparked controversy in 1995 (see book, article), and since then Gauntlett has published a number of books on the role of popular media in people's lives.

New creative research methods

This approach asks participants to make something as part of the research process. The Art Lab uses creative and artistic activities as research tools "to gain an insight into people's relationships with contemporary media culture. Instead of just talking to people in interviews or focus groups, these approaches get participants doing things, as a different way of getting inside their relationship to a particular topic." The process of making something, and then reflecting upon it, is claimed to give a more nuanced insight into what people feel about an issue.

Previous studies have invited participants to make video, diaries, collage, and drawings. In 2005-06 Gauntlett is exploring the use of Lego Serious Play as a tool in sociology and social research.

Theoretical tools

His theoretical work on the role of media in the construction of identities (e.g. Media, Gender and Identity) builds on the work of Anthony Giddens, Michel Foucault, and postfeminism. The new creative methods build in part experiential and constructionist learning, and on the ideas of Maurice Merleau-Ponty.

Online and art projects

Gauntlett produces the well-known media theory website, Theory.org.uk. His other personal projects include A Drawing A Day (ongoing), the Theory Trading Cards (1999-04) and Send Me Stuff (2002).

He also contributes to Wikipedia occasionally.

Bibliography (books)

• Moving Experiences: Understanding Television's Influences and Effects (1995)
• Video Critical: Children, The Environment and Media Power (1997)
• TV Living: Television, Culture and Everyday Life (1999)
• Web.Studies: Rewiring Media Studies For The Digital Age (2000)
• Media, Gender and Identity (2002)
• Web.Studies, second edition (2004)
• Moving Experiences, second edition: Media Effects and Beyond (2005)

External links

• David Gauntlett - Main page with information about books and projects
• Theory.org.uk - Media theory website
• Artlab.org.uk - Website about new creative/visual research

Works available online

• Video Critical - Online version of the 1997 book, with abridged text, and photographs
• Ten things wrong with the media effects model (1998)
• Japanese Cybercultures - Preface to book (2002)
• Articles accompanying the book Media, Gender and Identity including interviews, articles, extended chapter (2002-03)
• Web.Studies introduction chapter (2004)
• Popular Media and Self-Identity: New approaches - Inaugural lecture (2004)
• IAMCR conference paper on using new creative visual research methods to understand the place of popular media in people's lives (2004)
• Using Creative Visual Research Methods to Understand Media Audiences from Medienpädagogik (Media Education), vol. 4, no. 1 (2005)

1971 births | Living people | Media theorists | British sociologists __NOTOC__