Overview
Join us for an exploration into how documentary filmmaking can illuminate the processes of educational change—and transform research practice, more broadly. This presentation will feature screenings of two documentaries that examine educational innovation in Brazil from different angles.
The first film, "Building Tomorrows – The Story of Sobral," narrates a government-led reform: how the northeastern state of Ceará has transformed its public school system, achieving near-universal literacy despite high poverty rates. The second film, "Peer Pressure for a Purpose: Cooperative Learning in Brazil," focuses on a community-designed, grassroots innovation. It follows a collaborative peer learning initiative fostering holistic youth development—just a four hour’s drive from Sobral.
Adam Barton, a Cambridge doctoral researcher, will share his experiences and insights from using filmmaking as a research tool. He will discuss the comparative insights gained from studying top-down and bottom-up educational changes in diverse contexts. Additionally, Barton will reflect on the process of merging cinematography with research rigor, including the challenges and opportunities this approach presents.
Attendees will gain an understanding of how film can support and transform research by highlighting human stories, negotiating the balance between cinematographic needs and participant voices, and addressing the complexities of educational reforms.
Speaker
Adam Barton is an implementation and change scientist studying how to make education innovations work in practice.
Adam most recently served as a lead researcher at the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution. There, he directed multimillion-dollar research projects on education innovations, systems transformation, and community co-creation. His publications include Leapfrogging Inequality, a co-authored book on education innovations.
As a senior advisor to international organizations, Adam has led research and strategy development for the International Education Funders Group (IEFG), Gates Foundation, LEGO Foundation, and OECD ministerial network, among others. He additionally consults for local and national governments, recently advising the New Delhi, Portuguese, and São Paulo ministries on reform implementation.
Details
This event is open to all, free to attend and there is no need to book.
Refreshments will be available for the in-person audience.
The Humanities Society organises regular talks spanning a wide range of topics. Every Tuesday during term time.
Access
This event will take place in the Roger Needham Room on the second floor of the Chancellor's Centre. It has step-free access with a lift and there is an accessible toilet located each floor of the building.
Image from the documentary Building Tomorrows – The Story of Sobral.