Creative Media Learners Join University Research
Creative Media Learners Join University Research
Creative Media learners at Solihull Sixth Form College joined academics from the University of Birmingham for a research study, exploring the impact of social media influencers’ stories on mental health awareness among young people.
The study, which is being conducted in partnership with the University of Nottingham and Aston University, is being funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. The College's involvement saw six BTEC Creative Digital Media Production students participating in a focus group aimed at understanding how young people engage with mental health narratives shared by influencers.
The purpose of the study was to examine how the personal stories influencers share about mental health issues, including anxiety, influence young people’s perceptions and responses to mental health challenges. The students provided valuable feedback on how these stories impact their understanding of mental health and the role social media plays in shaping their views.
Dr. Ruth Page and Dr Alex Christiansen from the University of Birmingham led the focus group, and the research findings will help inform future strategies for using media and digital platforms to support mental health education.
The research forms part of a broader initiative to better understand how young people interact with social media and how it affects their mental health awareness. The results will be shared through academic publications, reports, and public talks in the coming months.
Rasbinder Gill, Curriculum Leader for Media & IT at the College, said:
“It was incredibly valuable for our students to see first-hand how the topics we cover in our Creative Digital Media course, especially the focus on mass media and research, are directly relevant to understanding real-world media issues. This research highlighted the importance of critical thinking when engaging with media content, particularly around sensitive topics like mental health. It is a great opportunity for our students to see how their own studies can have a tangible impact on addressing societal challenges.”
4 December 2024
