Pedagogy for change: Building international teaching alliances for gender equality in media through student-driven advocacy

Abstract

This article evaluates the pedagogical approach of the EU-funded project ‘Rewriting the Story: Gender, Media, and Politics’, designed to dismantle gender stereotypes in political news reporting and foster equitable democratic participation. Drawing on feminist and deliberative pedagogies and utilising the Participatory Action Learning and Action Research method, the project engaged over 400 students from five European universities. By creating safe and collaborative learning spaces, highlighting the meaningful visibility of students’ work, and fostering participation and inclusion, the project addressed intersectional inequalities in media representation and empowered students to become agents of social change. Further qualitative analysis of student outputs reveals the transformative potential of feminist pedagogies in cultivating gender-aware professionals and amplifying student voices. The project highlights the role of education in challenging systemic barriers to gender equality, promoting intercultural dialogue, and advancing democratic values within media practices.