The Independent Film & Video Department (Channel 4, 1982–1995) History Project

This Research & Knowledge Exchange Doctoral Project brief summarises our priority areas of research interest under the heading of: The Independent Film & Video Department (Channel 4, 1982–1995) History Project.

We welcome all research degree applications aligned with and in response to this brief.

This is a funded opportunity.

This doctoral project investigates the work and legacy of Channel 4’s Independent Film & Video Department (IFVD), active between 1982 and 1995. During this period, the IFVD championed independent and oppositional voices in the UK and internationally, fulfilling Channel 4’s remit as a public service broadcaster committed to innovation and diversity. Despite its significant cultural impact, the department’s legacy has received limited scholarly attention. 

This PhD will contribute to a broader history and archiving initiative, establishing a digital database that makes visible and accessible the department’s work. Centred on the digitisation and curation of physical media (primarily VHS), the research will explore digital archiving as both a cultural and ethical practice. The project investigates how archival processes shape social, historical, and political narratives, and it seeks to reframe archival materials not just for academic audiences but for the wider public and educational use. 

The research will draw upon institutional holdings at Falmouth University and personal collections, involving collaboration with original commissioning editors, BFI archivists, and external academic partners. As part of the School of Film & Television’s developing research focus on archive practices, this PhD is integral to ongoing research, teaching, and knowledge exchange activities. 

This project is fully funded through Research England’s Expanding Excellence in England (E3) Fund. The deadline for applications is 25 May 2025, and applications can be made through the link below.

This project is situated within the Centre for Blended Realities, which supports research at the intersection of analogue and digital media. By exploring early VHS as a precursor to contemporary forms of self-curation and networked dissemination, the project contributes to ongoing inquiries into how media technologies shape cultural memory, authorship, and audience engagement. It also aligns with the Centre for Pedagogy Futures and the School of Film & Television’s research priorities around archival practice and media heritage, supporting university-wide themes of digital creativity, screen and identity, and interdisciplinary knowledge exchange. 

All successful research degree project proposals must emphasise a clear alignment between the project idea and our Research & Knowledge Exchange strategy.