From Philly to Delhi
In March 2024, the Annenberg School’s Center for Advanced Research in Global Communication (CARGC) held its first Global Media Cultures Collective Doctoral Institute in Delhi, India.
Co-sponsored by the University of Hyderabad, it brought together students from Indian doctoral programs and doctoral students from the Annenberg School.
Upon hearing of the Global Media Cultures International Doctoral Institute, Sim Gill’s curiosity was immediately piqued. As a second-year Ph.D. student at Annenberg and a fellow at CARGC, the prospect of engaging in interdisciplinary dialogue with scholars from various geographical and cultural backgrounds excited her immensely. “It offered a unique opportunity for intellectual enrichment and collaboration with individuals I would otherwise not have the chance to meet, such as Ph.D. students from universities in India,” she said.
During their time in New Delhi, the group delved into a variety of topics, ranging from the global reach of television to the impact of media on migration narratives.
The conversations explored the emotional and representational dimensions of media production, emphasizing the importance of recognizing real injustices and indignities that require our attention and care.
The second segment of the Institute comprised professional workshops designed to equip doctoral students with essential skills for success in academia and beyond. Covering topics like academic publishing and public speaking, these sessions provided invaluable resources for navigating both scholarly and alternative career paths.
The trip concluded with enlightening site visits led by CARGC fellow Rabani Garg. The group toured spots like the Community Library Project, part of India’s free library network advocating for an anti-caste, publicly owned, accessible library system for all, challenging the normalization of the lack of free libraries in India.
They also visited the Simurgh Centre, which facilitates artistic exchanges and collaborations among Afghan, Indian, and German practitioners living in New Delhi and interacted with zines and films that had been recently produced, centered mainly on themes of displacement, home, and connection. These experiences deepened their appreciation for the diverse activist efforts shaping the region’s politics.
“Undoubtedly, one of the most significant aspects I’ve gained from the trip is the opportunity to delve into other people’s research and immerse myself in a different environment, providing the time and space to engage deeply with ideas,” Gill said, “While we may interact regularly, uncovering the deeper layers of conversation is often challenging."
Gill said, "These transnational connections are pivotal in advancing comparative research on media technologies and cultures, bridging the gap between different regions and enriching both Global South and Western scholarship.”