MACMILLAN Media Activist Research Ethics: Global Approaches to Negotiating Power in Social Justice Research (Global Transformations in Media and Communication Research - A Palgrave and IAMCR Series)

This book maps complex ethical dilemmas in social justice research practices in media and communication. Contributors critically analyse power dynamics that arise when building equitable research relations with media activists, social movements, and cultural producers, considering issues of access, control, affective labour, reciprocal critiques, and movement pedagogies. Authors probe the ethical challenges faced when horizontal relations inadvertently create conflicts leading to oppressive communication; when affective demands generate non-reciprocal relations of care; and when participant anonymity has to be balanced with self-expression and voice. Chapters explore engagements with digital technologies in developing research relations, covering new research practices from horizontal collectives to dialogical auto-ethnography; from community scholarship and pedagogies to decolonising research. The book asks researchers to consider the complexities of ethical practices today in socially engaged global research within the neoliberal university.   Review “Across the volume, there is a treasure trove of insights and experiences for scholars, students and activists alike. From direct engagement with social movements like the MST in Brazil, to theoretical explorations of feminism, decolonialism and horizontality, the book offers both rich practice and theoretical sophistication. A vital contribution, this volume provides scholars and students with a compass for activist-oriented research.” (Todd Wolfson, Associate Professor of Journalism and Media Studies, Rutgers School of Communication and Information) “Finally, a book that takes ethical questions and dilemmas in media activist research seriously. It has been worth the wait. The contributions are sensitive to their research subjects while remaining critical of emerging power relations. The book is essential reading for all scholars and students of media activism.” (Anne Kaun, Associate Professor, Södertörn University, Sweden - Chair of the ICA working-group Activism Communication and Social Change) “Media Activist Research Ethics takes a global approach to mapping ethical research activist practices with social justice objectives. It identifies key challenges with innovative contributions which investigate the global, personal, professional, activist, academic, affective, cultural, pedagogical, and institutional contradictions and tensions that can emerge during the research process. It is an absolute must for researchers conducting empirical research within social movements and media activism.” (Athina Karatzogianni, Associate Professor of Media and Communication, University of Leicester, UK) “This book is a welcome response to our urgent need to read more about ethics. By presenting a global scope, offering practice-based experiences, and going beyond Western-centric perspectives, it provides us with a roadmap on how activist-scholars can help elevate the voices of marginalised communities in responsible and empowering ways.” (Andrea Medrado, Assistant Professor, Fluminense Federal University, Brazil; Co-Chair of the Community Communication and Alternative Media Section of IAMCR)  “While media activism research is a growing field, there is an alarming gap in addressing questions of ethics, power and positionality. This book addresses exactly that. In bringing together an impressive group of scholars and activists, it engages with these pertinent issues, not only moving this field forward, but contributing to the broader topic of research ethics in social sciences.” (Thomas Tufte, Institute Director for the Institute for Media and Creative Industries, Loughborough University London, UK)   From the Back Cover This book maps complex ethical dilemmas in social justice research practices in media and communication. Contributors critically analyse power dynamics that arise when building equitable research relations with media acti