The School of International Communications Welcomes Professor Helen Kennedy

The School of International Communications at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) recently welcomed Professor Helen Kennedy from 21 April to 26 April 2024. During her visit, she delivered thought-provoking lectures and engaged in meaningful discussions exploring the interplay between technology, ethics, and global cinema.

On 23 April, Professor Kennedy presented a public lecture titled “Renegotiating the ‘Virtual Commons’: Towards An Ethical, Equitable and Responsible Future.” In this engaging talk, she examined the swift advancement of immersive technologies, likening the current landscape to a new "gold rush" where innovators are eager to seize emerging opportunities. However, Kennedy warned that this rush might echo past patterns of exploitation and colonization, emphasizing the need for a more equitable approach to navigating these new virtual realms.

In her presentation, she underscored the importance of creating alternative spaces for meaning-making that prioritize responsibility, inclusivity, and ethics within the creative industries. Kennedy raised crucial questions about ensuring accessibility in employment and creative endeavours, advocating for a future where everyone can engage with these technologies.

A significant aspect of her talk was the deliberate feminist interventions that took place between 2021 and 2022. During this time, all-women VR Hackjams were organized alongside various editorials and interviews aimed at challenging the prevailing masculinist narratives surrounding the metaverse. Through these initiatives, Kennedy and her collaborators aimed to “interrupt” dominant discourses, amplifying alternative voices and stories within the technological landscape.

Kennedy highlighted the positive outcomes from these initiatives, including insights gathered from Digital Democracy interviewees and the innovative results of the VR Hackjams. These feminist practices aimed to cultivate inclusive and participatory virtual environments that sparked curiosity and creativity, emphasizing the importance of ethical and responsible approaches in immersive experiences.

On 25 April, Professor Kennedy contributed as a speaker in the Grand Result Presentation titled “Developing a Framework for Chinese Short-Films with International Appeal.” This presentation focused on the remarkable success of Chinese short films at prestigious international festivals in 2022. Kennedy along with Dr Levi Dean and Dr Filippo Gilardi from the School of International Communications identified key elements that contributed to this acclaim and proposed a framework designed to assist Chinese filmmakers seeking global recognition. The framework's effectiveness was demonstrated through a student short film created during the project, which is slated for submission to international festivals.

After this presentation, Professor Kennedy participated in the screening of the short film “Half the World is Sleeping,” further enriching her engagement with the UNNC community and highlighting the significance of cross-cultural narratives in cinema.

Helen W. Kennedy is a Professor of Creative and Cultural Industries at the University of Nottingham. Her research focuses on feminist games culture and enhancing access to creative practices. She has spearheaded numerous national and international projects aimed at improving women's experiences in various creative fields, including virtual reality and immersive technology. Through collaboration with grassroots organizations and advocacy groups, Kennedy continues to inspire change and promote inclusive practices in the creative sectors.

Professor Kennedy’s visit to UNNC has not only deepened the understanding of ethical practices in technology but also fostered discussions about the global influence of Chinese cinema, leaving a lasting impression on both students and faculty.