Professor hopes Cambridge centre tackles key issues 'in an age of deepfakes'
The new centre looks to tackle some of the biggest tests facing modern media
Academics, filmmakers and artists are coming together in Cambridge to tackle some of the biggest issues facing modern media.
The centre of media, arts and creative technologies (MACT) at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) will look into the likes of disinformation, data doubles and digital abuse to help people better understand and navigate them.
It will be led by Tanya Horeck, professor of film and feminist media studies at ARU, whose research focuses on the growing threat of intimate deepfakes and their impact on young people.
“In a time when people are made to feel divided from one another, whether due to algorithms or the polarised nature of social media, critical media and artistic practice can create a sense of community and forge empathy and understanding," Prof Horeck said.
"It can remind us of historical injustices, draw links between the past and the present, and ward against disinformation and apathy."
Centre key 'in an age of deepfakes'
MACT will focus on how online culture has changed, with ARU academics looking at the rise of 'digital slop' - which is low-quality AI generated content on social media - and 'enshittification' where online platforms are deliberately downgraded for corporate gain.
The centre will also hose five 'labs' - FilmLab, MediaLab, DesignLab, ArtLab and StoryLab - dedicated to an area of creative and critical practice.
MACT will house five specialist “Labs”, each dedicated to a distinct area of creative and critical practice: FilmLab, MediaLab, DesignLab, ArtLab and StoryLab.
Professor Horeck said MACT is the result of "25 years of critical media and communication theory at ARU.
“I’m extremely proud of the work we have done over the last couple of decades and I’m looking forward to all that we can achieve in the future as we engage with the big issues of the day.
“In an age of deepfakes, data doubles, doomscrolling and disinformation, it’s more important than ever that critical media thinkers and artists work together.”
MACT opens from today with an event at the Ruskin Gallery.