Research hub for generating knowledge and innovative thinking!
Welcome to this space where you will discover research conducted by u Amba! For more information on media landscape research please contact u Amba.
u Amba research and knowledge
Data-centred research and knowledge production is an important part of the u Amba project. This serves as a fundamental way to unpack and understand digital narratives. Through identifying key actors, conducting field research as well as data-driven studies we have created material to empower the digital narratives work being done
(RE)Search Papers
In the spirit of ‘each one teach one’ we did some research on digital narratives to understand how the internet was thinking and speaking about certain topics. This research was conducted on three topics, LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights and sex worker rights.
The study involves a comprehensive analysis of posts, images, comments, audiences and discussions. Qualitative and quantitative data are collected to highlight patterns, trends, popular actors and general sentiments shaping the online discourse of the affected communities. The data-driven analysis investigates the dominant narratives on Facebook and Twitter/X, the values and frames used in the narratives and the emotions that these narratives trigger in the audience. We look at news media headlines and the framing used in headlines to gain insights into how community stories are told through news media.
This research contributes valuable insights into the online discourse surrounding the affected communities offering a nuanced understanding of dominant narratives, key actors, framing, emotions and values, and the layered dimensions of perceptions of the communities. The findings aim to inform strategies for more inclusive, empathetic and empowering communication on these critical social and human rights issues. Contact us for the full paper.
Research Paper Abstract
Mapping the Media Landscape in South Africa
Mapping the media landscape in South Africa aims to reveal the prevailing and most engaged narratives on social media and news media headlines. This narrative research uses data set gathering and an interpretive and analytical framework to explore the prevailing digital narratives surrounding the LGBTIQ+, Women’s Rights, and Sex worker rights communities in South Africa.
Research Paper Abstract
Mapping the Media Landscape in South Africa
Mapping the media landscape in South Africa aims to reveal the prevailing and most engaged narratives on social media and news media headlines. This narrative research uses data set gathering and an interpretive and analytical framework to explore the prevailing digital narratives surrounding the LGBTIQ+, Women’s Rights, and Sex worker rights communities in South Africa.
The study involves a comprehensive analysis of posts, images, comments, audiences and discussions. Qualitative and quantitative data are collected to highlight patterns, trends, popular actors and general sentiments shaping the online discourse of the affected communities. The data-driven analysis investigates the dominant narratives on Facebook and Twitter/X, the values and frames used in the narratives and the emotions that these narratives trigger in the audience. We look at news media headlines and the framing used in headlines to gain insights into how community stories are told through news media.
This research contributes valuable insights into the online discourse surrounding the affected communities offering a nuanced understanding of dominant narratives, key actors, framing, emotions and values, and the layered dimensions of perceptions of the communities. The findings aim to inform strategies for more inclusive, empathetic and empowering communication on these critical social and human rights issues. Contact us for the full paper.
Report
Imagining the internet of our dreams: Narratives for our future.
The u Amba Think Tank was held at the Homecoming Centre because narratives are at the heart of this work. The space brought together organisation, activists, influencers, academics and other actors. From music to collective musings the space was one of sharing experiences around the ways in which we can come together to change the world around us through digital narratives. The space was powerful because narrative work is important because it can change what we pay attention to and what we invest our time, resources, energy and care into. This is a report on creation of and conversations within the Think Tank. Contact us for a full report of the Think Tank and the learnings from the space.
Host organisation:
Ivana Merckel, u Amba
Facilitator:
Ishtar Lakhani, Mischief Managed
Rapporteur & narrator:
Ella Scheepers, Wellbeing Architects
