Helen Manchester BSc (Hons), PGCE, M.Ed
Teaching Fellow M.Ed Communications, Education and Technology
Main Research Interests
Community Media and New Literacies
Helens PhD looks at literacy in a broad sense and explores ideas and pedagogies associated with media literacy, information literacy, interpersonal and cultural literacy and political literacy. She is particularly keen to explore how community media organisations, as part of civil society, can enable people (often marginalised) to participate in counter public spheres. Arising from this are notions of empowerment, voice and involvement in democratic processes. Helen has close links with community media organisations in the UK.
New Technologies and Community
Helen has also been exploring the use of new technologies in her own practice as a lecturer on an M.Ed programme. She is fascinated by the role of new technologies in enabling the growth of community and social movements in diverse spaces and is currently developing research on the use of Web 2 technologies such as wikis and blogs in this regard.
Participatory Research Methods
Through her PhD research Helen has developed an interest in participatory research methods, working closely with those within community media organisations in order to influence praxis. She is particularly keen to explore ethnographic action research methods in further research.
International Experience
Spain, Eritrea, The Russian Federation, Thailand
Selected Recent Publications
Ralph, S., Manchester, H. and Lees, C. (2003) (eds.) Anarchy or Diversity? Papers from the 31st University of Manchester Broadcasting Symposium. Luton: University of Luton Press
Manchester, H. (2004) Local and Community Television in Greater Manchester: A Research Report. Produced for the Community Media Association and the National Computing Centre.
Manchester, H. (2005) Voices of Cohesion: Radio for Refugees. (An evaluation of a radio training project). Produced for Radio Regen and the Home Office Integration Fund.
Manchester, H. (2006) Community Learning Project Evaluation. Produced for Radio Regen and the Learning and Skills Council.
Shipova, O., Manchester, H. and Ralph, S. (2006) Using Web CT for Learning with an Intercultural Group of Postgraduate Students. International Journal of Learning Vol 12 , Issue 4
Manchester, H. and Liddell, C. (2006) Voices of Cohesion in Wer Spricht. Interkulturelle Arbeit und Mehrsprachigkeit im context freier Medien. Vienna: Babelingo