Michael Mitchell

Biography

Before taking up his present post at the university, Michael ran a film and television production company. Producing short and feature length drama, documentaries and commercials. Before running his own company, Michael worked for a number of years in advertising, directing and producing commercials for clients worldwide.

Michael's main area of interest and research is the alignment between industry expectation of graduates and the undergraduate experience. Michael is currently exploring the use of core media skills in a wider business context. Michael continue to act as a consultant to a number of production companies within the film and television industry.

Academic and research interests

Current research project, ‘True North?', draws on the conceptual framework of Cultural Studies and the methods of Visual Anthropology and participant-observer ethnographic enquiry in order to review the creative potential and practical constraints upon the processes of independent film, with a specific case-study focus on the circulation and reproduction of prevailing ideas of the north-east of England.

I also have a professional interest in and responsibility for development of employability, notably through the embedding of key skills and opportunities within an integrated arts curriculum.

Recent external roles

Fellow Higher Education Academy

Royal Television Society North East and Border Centre Board Member

External Examining

2015         Southampton Solent (range of Film, TV & Media Modules)

2014-2017  Stafford University (Collaborative Partner Institutions)

Return to meet the staff