Documentary, Arts-Based Methods and Social Justice (DocUBC) cluster
DocUBC is the first cluster of its kind in a Canadian university to bring together both nonfiction filmmakers and an interdisciplinary set of scholars and practitioners working with visual and arts-based methodologies for social change. The cluster focuses deepening ties between scholars and artists working in these areas at UBC through building a website and online presence, an internal colloquium and retreat, the development of a Documentary Centre, and a public-facing screening and speaker series.
Key themes include revived ethics, decolonizing approaches to research and creation, and community-based engagement amongst the broader themes of methodologies and mediums. The cluster includes graduate students working with visual, arts-based and documentary methods.
Our Mission
The Documentary, Arts-Based Methods and Social Justice (DocUBC) cluster brings together a range of scholars, artists, and students working on documentary, visual, and arts-based methodologies for social change. DocUBC aims to deepen ties between documentary filmmakers and an interdisciplinary set of scholars and practitioners working with visual and arts-based methodologies. Our mission is twofold: to strengthen internal resources and connections among UBC members, and to amplify the impact of our work in broader communities through meaningful partnerships and public engagements. We are committed to promoting visual methods and documentary video as powerful tools for social justice, facilitating collaborations that bridge academic and public spheres. Through events, screenings, and partnerships, DocUBC seeks to elevate the work of its members, cultivate new relationships, and contribute to transformative social change.
DocUBC has been actively engaging with both UBC and the broader community through a variety of initiatives. We have developed an online resource hub, co-hosted academic events, and partnered with film festivals like VIFF and DOXA. Looking ahead, DocUBC plans to expand its reach by continuing our collaboration with the TRANSFORM project, a multi-year, global initiative addressing gender inequality and gender-based violence through arts-based methods. We aim to deepen our partnerships with local and international organizations, and create a lasting hub for documentary and visual arts-based research at UBC and beyond. Our goal is to provide ongoing support for our members and graduate students while facilitating new opportunities for research, public engagement, and social change.
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