Dr Sarah Williams

Tutor in Media & Communication

Media

sarah.williams@swansea.ac.uk

Basic Welsh Speaker

About

Dr Sarah Elizabeth Williams - Academic Tutor

Dr Sarah Elizabeth Williams is an Academic Tutor in Media and Communication Studies at the School of Culture and Communication, Swansea University. She is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a member of the academic board for the Centre of Digital Arts and Humanities. Her research interests focus on digital technologies and their impact on culture and society, with her PhD concentrating on digital literacy educational provisions in Wales. Other notable research projects she has worked on include DRAGON-S (Developing Resistance Against Grooming Online) and research into visually impaired individuals’ digital media adoption and usage: before, during and after the COVID 19 lockdowns.

Dr Williams has extensive teaching experience and a strong track record of fostering positive student learning outcomes through creative curriculum delivery. For several years, she has been teaching students at Swansea University from Foundation Year to Postgraduate level. She has taught various modules within the Swansea Media and Communication department and is dedicated to promoting critical thinking and intellectual growth among her students.

In addition to her extensive theoretical and academic expertise, Dr Williams is a published author and award-winning documentary maker. She has years of experience working within the entertainment and PR industries where she managed complex events and devised and implemented several ecommerce businesses.

Areas Of Expertise

Digital media and information literacy
Digital literacy education in Wales
Media History
Media Theory
PR, Marketing and Branding

Career Highlights

Teaching Interests

Digital media and information literacy
Digital literacy education in Wales
Media History
Media Theory
PR, Marketing and Branding

Taught Modules

FY-016 Research Essay

This module will build on the introduction to research and study skills modules, providing an opportunity for students to apply what they have learnt by researching a topic of their choice related to their chosen degree subject. Alongside their independent research, students will have further opportunity to develop and refine their research skills thus preparing them for the challenges that writing at degree level will present.
MS-233 Investigating Text, Process and Audiences

Investigation is central to both the academic and practical approaches to journalism and communication. For example, journalists need to mine sources, data-sets and human experiences in order to create their stories. On the other hand, to make meaningful contributions to scholarship, students need to be able to synthesize key findings from a wide body of journalistic output by applying rigorous research methods. This module recognises that investigation has to take place as an academic, journalist and original content creator. Moreover, any graduate entry job in any realm will involve an element of data mining, investigation, objective analysis and the development of reasonable and justifiable conclusions. These two (academic and practical) approaches have considerable synergy since both necessitate interpersonal skills that are particularly useful when interviewing sources of academic or journalistic narratives. Furthermore, basic numeracy skills enable data-sets to be interpreted to develop scholarly understanding as well as materials that are central to the aims of storytelling. With a very strong emphasis on developing generic employability skills, this module offers students the opportunity to develop theoretical and practical knowledge, not only to support their third year project but to provide a cutting edge within the media sector job market.
MS-M10 Dissertation or Project

An innovative practice-based alternative to a Masters dissertation. Students are encouraged to develop projects across more than one area of media practice and to do so with dual supervision that embraces both theory and practice. Work produced should be at a professional level, accompanied by a reflective essay and presentation exploring the contextual, theoretical and practical issues raised by the project.
MS-M11 MA Project and Dissertation Preparation

This core module comprehensively prepares students for their Master¿s project or dissertation, which is an integral part of the requirements for the degree. It incorporates several key themes and issues across the communications, media practice and PR industries. It is a challenging, and stimulating module ¿ both for professional practitioners and those new to communications and media practice. The module encourages students to unite theory and practice in productive ways. It introduces students to a number of important research and project management methods essential for undertaking a successful project or dissertation.
MS-M13J PR, Branding and Promotion

The PR, Branding and Promotion module provides a critical overview of the role of public relations and branding practice within contemporary society. It examines best practice across a variety of PR disciplines, whilst simultaneously critiquing the impact of PR and its role within industry, consumer culture and the market place of ideas. In addition the module explores the process of brand creation and promotion and considers how organisations develop and protect brands. The module will appeal to those new to PR and branding, but wishing to broaden their understanding of the creative disciplines, whilst also providing experienced students with a strategic stepping-stone to further their ability to apply best practice.
MSP300R Strategy, Marketing and Branding

This module provides an advanced level introduction to the theories, principles and practical techniques required for effective, integrated marketing and branding campaigns. The key stages in marketing campaign will be explored and attention will be paid to how marketing links to the creation and management of effective brands. Students will investigate the branding of major companies and the challenge this poses for PR and marketing campaigns. Campaigns will be examined using case studies covering a variety of sectors. Branding theory and practice will be examined as a key nexus for both PR and marketing campaigns, enabling students to develop the skills to critically evaluate good and bad practice in order to themselves produce effective creative project work.

Dr Sarah Williams

Email address

Welsh language proficiency

Twitter Account

LinkedIn Account

About

Areas Of Expertise

Career Highlights

Taught Modules

FY-016 Research Essay

MS-233 Investigating Text, Process and Audiences

MS-M10 Dissertation or Project

MS-M11 MA Project and Dissertation Preparation

MS-M13J PR, Branding and Promotion

MSP300R Strategy, Marketing and Branding