GMAC Partnership
The Applied Dissertation in Community and Collaborative Practice course is delivered in partnership with GMAC. The purpose of this partnership and the course is to nurture the next generation of film and TV talent while addressing important social issues. It brings together Senior Honours students of Film and Television Studies and other subjects in the School of Culture & Creative Arts with local community organisations.
Over the academic year, students and representatives from the community organisations attend workshops delivered and hosted by GMAC, agreeing on a shared vision to co-produce, film and edit impactful films and campaigns, culminating in a celebratory event to showcase their collaborative work. The films can also be used by the community organisation partners to raise awareness of social issues and build support for their charitable and activist causes, and the films produced have featured in the School’s Future Creatives event and been programmed at a number of film festivals.
A unique emphasis on co-design, co-creation, and co-evaluation enhances project outcomes and fosters a sense of belonging between the University, students and local communities. It aims to improve students' agency, employability and self-awareness while providing valuable exposure for community organisation partners.
Between 2023 and 2026, the Applied Dissertation has benefitted 16 community organisations and 42 Senior Honours undergraduate students.
The course was awarded University of Glasgow College of Arts & Humanities Teaching Excellence Awards in 2023-24 (Individual Award to Dr Kirsten Adkins) and in 2024-25 (Team Award).
Discover the works produced by community organisations and students of the Applied Dissertation in Community & Collaborative Practice (GMAC partnership).
Bird of Paradise Theatre Company (2026)
Annie Mullan, Euan Menzies, Olivia Reynolds-Kenny
The Glasgow Girls Club (2026)
Emily Beaugie, Kara Paterson, Millie Ryan
Glasgow SE Foodbank (2026)
Emily Nelson, Helena Blackett, Samantha Olson
LEAP Sports (2026)
Hannah Gemmell, Liv Hammerstein, Mhairi Brown
Maslow’s Community (2026)
Ella Ramrayka Rogers, Math Williams, Nathaniel Gray
Platform (2026)
Dulcie McCull, Evie Baxter, Rebecca Matthews
Bluevale Community Club (2025)
Abby Gibson, Ally Nicolas & Felix Round
Mind the Men (2025)
Jay Hargreaves, Sam Hussey & Michael Roberton
Music Broth (2025)
Tara Jackson, Nico Peden
Pride Outside (2025)
Luisa Connarty & Jenny MacInnes
Active Life Club (2024)
Joely Lerpiniere & Oriana Pooles
Dress For Success (2024)
Sophie Hargadon Gonzalez, Jessica Hodgart & Sara Lombardo
Food Not Bombs (2024)
Rosie Bowyer & Morgan Hare
Marie Trust (2024)
Beatrice Lent & Robert McShane
Plant Grow Share (2024)
Claire Hunter, Lindsay Maybury & Julia Pujals Antolin
Simon Community (2024)
Antony Fury & Megan McGee
"It was really great to get an opportunity to learn about practical filmmaking as well as engaging directly with the community and making a positive impact."
"This course has been really impactful and I enjoyed thinking about films as a part of social activism and to positively impact communities."
"I feel so much more informed on social action and charities around Glasgow. I also feel really confident taking part in production and working collaboratively on a collective vision."
"Not only did it give you practical knowledge in filmmaking but helped me work on my collaboration skills and confidence in working more professionally and thoughtfully with non-filmmaking partners."
"Everything was great about this course: working with community organisations in Glasgow, my group, and the practical workshops taught me a lot about the practical side of filmmaking."
"Working with community organisations in Glasgow was great. The practical workshops taught me a lot about the practical side of filmmaking."
Students 2025-26
"Professionally the course has opened up many doors for myself. I met amazing industry professionals that have given me opportunities I would never have expected. Personally the course allowed me work with groups and people that expanded my mindset and allowed me to grow as a person."
“This course has been a transformative experience. It demonstrated the process and progress of filmmaking from initial concepts to finalised product. It equipped me with new skills like camera operation, editing, as well as collaboration and communication. I've gained a level of confidence in my abilities that I never thought possible, opening doors to a career path I'm now certain I want to pursue.”
Students 2024-25
"The experience I gained has helped me to secure interviews to filmmaking internships, and more recently a position as an intern working with a charity in edinburgh to make a promotional film."
"it is an incredibly useful experience for students, as well as a great way to connect students in the arts with the local community."
Students 2024-25
"Through the course I discovered that I want to pursue documentary filmmaking. I found working with the charity, researching and getting to know their story incredibly fulfilling and it made the filmmaking experience much more enjoyable. It gave me clear insight into the type of work I’d like to do in my future career."
"This course has taught me a lot about collaborative documentary filmmaking, in technical terms but also on the ethics And it has helped me get out of my comfort zone and meet local organisations and discover the importance of their work for the community."
Students 2024-25
“This was a great experience for us. Not only were we supported by GMAC and University of Glasgow staff but having the other charities there to bounce off was an added bonus. Our staff loved it. It’s inspired their creativity and their drive to learn more. The end result was the biggest plus. A film we can use to showcase what we do but multi-faceted enough that broken down into bite-size chunks so that each section can reach a different audience.”
Community Partner 2023-24
“Witnessing these individuals and communities collaborate so effectively and move forwards with their new-found skills and connections is exactly what we had hoped to achieve when designing the project with University of Glasgow.”
GMAC
“This course has been a transformative experience. It demonstrated the process and progress of filmmaking from initial concepts to finalised product. It equipped me with new skills like camera operation, editing, as well as collaboration and communication. I've gained a level of confidence in my abilities that I never thought possible, opening doors to a career path I'm now certain I want to pursue.”
Student 2023-24
"As a community participant, I really got to understand how powerful it is when third sector organisations have the opportunity to work with upcoming talent. It's a truly wonderful program that I hope continues to inspire others for many years to come."
“We've seen an increase in confidence for participants along with a great sense of pride in the work that they do. Being able to share this with others is very rewarding and reminds us of the important work that we do as well as the impact this has on the people we support.”
Community Partners 2024-25
Community Partners
- Active Life Club
- Birds of Paradise Theatre Company
- Bluevale Community Club
- Dress For Success Scotland
- Glasgow Girls Club
- Glasgow Govanhill Food Not Bombs
- Glasgow SE Foodbank
- LEAP Sports
- Maslow's Community
- Mind the Men
- Music Broth
- The Marie Trust
- Plant Grow Share
- Pride Outside
- Simon Community Scotland