I am a transdisciplinary researcher and photographer. My photographic practice focuses on identity and memory and my work has been exhibited in Scotland, Wales, and the United States.
My research focuses on the ontology of photography, specifically through the lens of complexity theory. I also explore themes relating to the creation of photographic meaning, specifically national identities and psychogeography.
I frequently contribute to Offline Journal - a print only publication exploring photography in Wales.
My research interests include photography, complexity theory, visual studies, nationality and local identities, curation, and national art.
Book Chapter
Look into my lies: the strategic use of photography in UK Gov’s 2021 coronavirus campaign
Macdonald E & Jones B (2023) Look into my lies: the strategic use of photography in UK Gov’s 2021 coronavirus campaign. In: Lilleker D & Veneti A (eds.) Research Handbook on Visual Politics. Political Science and Public Policy. Edward Elgar Publishing, pp. 370-380. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781800376939.00038
Conference Paper (published)
Teaching Interactive Digital Narrative Through Found Photography
McKeown C & MacDonald E (2023) Teaching Interactive Digital Narrative Through Found Photography. In: TBC. Lecture Notes in Computer Science. 16th International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling, Kobe, 11.11.2023-15.11.2023. Cham , Switzerland: Springer.
Article
Macdonald E (2023) Shooting the dragon: How visual representations of Welshness in photography have developed and are changing. Journal of European Popular Culture, 14 (1), pp. 71-92. https://doi.org/10.1386/jepc_00055_1
I teach across undergraduate programmes in the Division of Communications, Media, and Culture. I also lead international exchange programmes in Digital Media with Nanjing University, and teach on postgraduate programmes at Singapore Institute of Management and Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication.