Raising Consciousness Through Feminist Pedagogy in Animation - Article

Mulraney, Rosa ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7205-4856 (2026) Raising Consciousness Through Feminist Pedagogy in Animation - Article. AMPS PROCEEDINGS SERIES 47, 47 (2). pp. 269-278. ISSN 2398-9467

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Abstract / Summary

Exploring collective practice and collaboration with external experts to develop a method of integrating feminist pedagogy into creative HE environments using animation as a feminist tool. This case study focuses on two student-made films, Why Mums Don't Jump and Sling the Mesh . These projects resulted from a collaboration between groups of mixed-gender, second-year Animation students at Falmouth University who were invested in the subject of female reproductive health and their live-brief clients, Helen Ledwick, podcaster, author and creator of Why Mums Don’t Jump and Kath Sansom journalist and founder of the pro-bono campaign Sling the Mesh .

This article embraces the opportunity to reflect on the methodology and success of learning outcomes based on interviews with participants and audiences. Initial feedback and testimonials indicate that the films were received as pioneering animated stories, granting visibility to a hidden condition known as “pelvic organ prolapse”, often experienced by women postpartum. Audiences' recognition of the film's attitude-changing potential testifies to Wells' view of animation as 'a radical tool in the re-invention... of social, cultural ... materials' . This case study demonstrates that when animation addresses the need for social change, student work can contribute to the visibility of hidden discrimination and social debates around female reproductive rights. The students' engagement with the process exemplifies their temporary entanglement with what Ahmed once called a “sweaty concept” to bring out hidden gender inequalities and generate new social understandings.

Although this is not a definitive recipe for educating socially aware animators, analysing this project stage-by-stage, there is an attempt to outline one potential teaching strategy for promoting gender awareness among HE students in creative disciplines.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Feminism, Animation, Pedagogy
ISSN:	2398-9467
Subjects:	Film & Television > Animation Education Health Research Social Sciences
Department:	School of Film & Television
Depositing User:	Rosa Mulraney
Date Deposited:	17 Sep 2026 10:05
Last Modified:	17 Sep 2026 10:05
URI:	https://repository.falmouth.ac.uk/id/eprint/6571

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