Ep 041: Investigating Inequality Across Film and TV
We’re mixing things up today with a conversation about the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative and their research on representation in film and TV. We spoke with Katherine Pieper, PhD, the program director at the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. As the leading global think tank studying inclusion in media, the initiative examines the prevalence and portrayal of groups such as girls and women, people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, and mental health conditions. They analyze who is on-screen and behind the camera across film, episodic, and short film content.
As part of our conversation, we discuss the results of one of their latest studies – Inequality in 1600 popular films examining portrayals of gender, race, ethnicity, LGBTQ+, and disability in Films from 2007 - 2022, as well as dive into the Inclusion List, and learn more about their new study on Indigenous representation in film.
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Music: Deppisch
Design: Perpetualnotion.ca
Mixing/ Mastering: Tony Bao
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Katherine Pieper, PhD is the program director at the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, where she oversees the day-to-day operations of the initiative’s research and advocacy efforts. In her work with the initiative, Pieper has co-authored and contributed to more than 40 studies on diversity and inclusion across entertainment and media industries. As the leading global think tank studying inclusion in media, the initiative examines the prevalence and portrayal of girls/women, people of color, the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, and mental health conditions on screen across film, episodic, and short film content. Behind the camera, the Initiative has examined the barriers and opportunities facing women and people of color behind the camera in film, the animation and visual effects industries, and the music business. Additionally, Pieper’s work with the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative has supported quantitative and qualitative investigations into the depiction of girls, older adults, and mental health across film and TV.
Pieper graduated with a BA in communication from Michigan State University and completed her MA and PhD at USC Annenberg. Pieper’s dissertation focused on the role of social support in a three-year maternal and child health intervention in Cambodia. Between 2007 and 2011, she worked in communication and resource development, including proposal writing, reporting, and design of monitoring and evaluation activities for a non-governmental organization based in Phnom Penh. She joined the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative in 2012.
REFERENCES
Research studies referenced: Inequality in 1600 films, The Inclusion List, Native American Representation Across 1,600 Popular Films, Mental Health in Popular Storytelling
Other organizations mentioned: 1IN4 Coalition, Inevitable Foundation
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