Brian Ekdale

Brian Ekdale is a doctoral student in Mass Communication specializing in global media studies. His research focuses on the use of visual media to advocate for social justice in East Africa. Brian has produced videos in three different countries and has won awards at several film festivals. Informed by this background in media production, Brian’s research examines how the countless number of decisions made, opportunities seized or missed, and obstacles confronted during the production process determine the strengths and weaknesses of resulting visual media products. This work has been supported by a FLAS Fellowship and a grant from the School of Journalism & Mass Communication. Brian will use his SKJ grant to begin research in Nairobi’s slums, working with organizations that partner with slum residents to produce videos and images that draw attention to issues of economic inequality.

Read more about Brian’s fellowship experience here.