Over half of the research published by the Research Institute for Media, Art and Performance (RIMAP) is internationally excellent or world leading, and the international impact of our research is higher than the sector average.

The University of Bedfordshire's media and communications research brings together world-leading researchers, practitioners and theoreticians to investigate and take forward key areas of political and cultural interest.

Specialist knowledge

Our particular areas of research interest are journalism, politics, interactive media and games, and new media forms of the book.

This work is recognised at national and international levels through conferences, festivals, publications and collaborative projects.

International research

Our work is of international importance and is funded by organisations such as the AHRC, British Academy and the Leverhulme Foundation.

Professor Alexis Weedon is the UNESCO Chair on New Media Forms of the Book, and leads a team focused on creating an integrated system of research, information and documentation for new media versions of the traditional book.

Further important research underpins international initiatives such as Professor Ivor Gaber's work in setting up Uganda’s first national news agency, and Professor Silverman’s training and development work in the reporting of human rights and conflict aftermath in Sierra Leone and Liberia.

Research exchange

A key part of this work is undertaken by leading conferences on subjects of importance in and beyond university research.

Examples of this work include conferences such as Media in the Enlarged Europe and The end of journalism? Technology, education and ethics, as well as the first conference of the Africa/UK Journalism Education Exchange, a conference on Spaghetti Cinema, and Embodied encounters: new psycho-analytic approaches to film, held at the Freud Museum.

Our research excellence

• Cultivates journalism in global contexts
• Investigates publishing and the book
• Analyses film analysis and filmmaking