Change
The Narrative
Change The Narrative sets out to speak back to the dominant narratives and framings that can impact the everyday lives of young people.
We are a team of researchers, creative producers and filmmakers who work collaboratively with groups and organisations. Our first project has been co-produced with 7 British schoolgirls to reflect on societal and media framings of Muslim girls and women.
Funded by the Leverhulme Trust, our short documentary film, Changing The Narrative, explores how young Muslim women feel about the ways in which are they are currently framed by news and media outlets and within education, policy and political discourses. The girls explore these framings versus their reality within the film. The film is designed to be a resource for schools and colleges as well as being a tool to initiate critical dialogue and discussion with policy makers about what needs to be done to change the narrative in relation to the (mis)representations of Muslim girls and women.
We worked with the young women and their teachers in themed workshops over several months drawing on a range of creative digital and arts-based methods to support the filmmaking process.
Get in touch to let us know what you think about the film.
Changing the Narrative was made with the support of the Leverhulme Trust (Grant RF-2016-278/8). Thanks also to Keele University. Read more Film credits here.
Get in touch if you have a story or message that you would like us to feature
- How would like to like to change the narrative about Muslim Girls?
- What would you want to tell politicians, newspaper owners, broadcasters, schools, colleges or universities about the issues that need to be tackled?
If you are an organisation or network that would like to work with us, please get in touch to let us know how we can work together.
Farzana Shain
Farzana Shain is an academic researcher at Goldsmiths, University of London. She has researched and written extensively about young people’s experiences of education in the context of broader social and political change. She is the author of The New Folk Devils: Muslim Boys and Education (Trentham Books: 2011), and The Schooling and Identity of Asian Girls (Trentham Books: 2003). She is currently working on a new book, Generation 9/11: British Muslim girls and education in England, which will be published by Policy Press in 2022.
Kirstie Henderson
Kirstie Henderson is a digital media filmmaker and motion visual artist who supports creativity and storytelling for wellbeing, growth and education. She works with people who want to explore through creative mixed media practices, to express themselves, build confidence and creative skills, share authentic stories, build community and connect with a wider audience to challenge stereotypes and change the narrative. Kirstie has worked primarily with arts and health organisations, and collaborating creative practitioners, who support community action for positive change in mental and physical health, exploring identity and encouraging connection and belonging.
Parvez Qadir
Parvez Qadir is an award winning writer and director who is passionate about working with people from different walks of life, helping them to share their stories by providing them with a platform to be heard. I have directed and produced a range of creative projects from live theatre, film and animation with a range of diverse young people from all different types of backgrounds tackling themes around Child Criminal Exploitation, Mental health and identity.
Changing the Narrative
Film screening and Panel Discussion.
How can schools and colleges lead the way in challenging the inequalities that Muslim girls and women face?
Hosted by the Centre for Identities and Social Justice
Goldsmiths, London
Wednesday October 7th, 2020
Online Event. Watch here
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