Granada Centre for Visual Anthropology

Teaching and research hub for ethnographic documentary, photography and sound recording at the University of Manchester

Pioneers in anthropology beyond text

Since its creation in 1987, the Granada Centre for Visual Anthropology has been widely recognised as the world’s leading centre for Visual Anthropology. More than 800 students have taken our MA, PhD and short courses. We are now at the forefront of sensory ethnography and experimental methods through sound, photography, performance and installations, and of dialogues between art and anthropology.

showcase

Selected works by students and staff of the Granada Centre

Living for living

Hip-Hop, mi desahogo

The Yayas de l’Elegance

Heritage, Herd, Horizon

Living the Weather

The Man Who almost Killed Himself

Aren’t I supposed to look grim?!

We Call Her Sensei

Caught in Between Darkness and Light

City|Play

Yours Truly

Rounds

Our Teaching

Our Master’s and PhD programmes combine anthropology with practical training in filmmaking, editing, photography and sound recording. We welcome students from across the social sciences and humanities, supporting them with internationally renowned staff and providing them with professional equipment. Our courses meet the needs of different levels of anthropological and media-making experience, from complete beginners to established professionals.

Our Resources

We equip students with camera and sound kits, supporting them through a dedicated technician. Our GCVA Lab includes editing suites with Mac Studio computers and a screening room with 5.1 surround sound and 4K cinema projector. The GCVA Film Library includes more than 3000 rare ethnographic films and our students can access multiple online streaming services.

Our History

The Granada Centre for Visual Anthropology has been innovating in the field of ethnographic film since 1987. Our graduates have produced more than 500 documentaries seen around the world. We are now also at the forefront of sensory ethnography and experimental methods through sound, photography, performance and installations, and of dialogues between art and anthropology.

Updates

News, events and work in progress from our students and staff

We are proud to share a story of research that has impact, contributing to telling people’s stories and improving their conditions. Our recently graduated MA Visual Anthropology alumna Marianna Łoboda was invited to screen her film (Dis)connnection in Gdańsk

February 2, 2026

Collaborative Research with Impact

Alumni MA News

The exhibition features images by Tse Hei Long, Jolynna Sinanan and Alastair Lomas and highlights the ways in which the Hong Kong diaspora in Manchester have built their lives through the Konger FC and Konger Café. It was the first event from the collaboration between Jolynna Sinanan and David Stroup (Department of Politics, University of Manchester).

November 1, 2025

Konger FC: A photographic exhibition

News Photography Staff

This interdisciplinary PhD project invites applicants to explore the inner lifeworlds of individuals living with Motor Neurone Disease through innovative ethnographic, participatory, and co-creative methods.

October 24, 2025

PhD Opportunity: Unseen Worlds

News PhD

Our MA visual anthropology cohort from 2024-2025 will be presenting their graduation works on the 17th and 18th of October. Everyone’s invited to watch their films and to visit their exhibitions and installations.

October 1, 2025

MA Visual Anthropology Showcase 2025

MA News

Co-Creative MiND: Inner Lifeworlds of MND

Congratulations to Professor Andrew Irving (GCVA), Dr Michael Atkins (aka Cheddar Gorgeous, GCVA MAVA 2007, PhD 2015) and Professor Steve Pettifer (Computer Science) on their Wellcome Discovery Award, which will establish the world’s first ethnographic and participatory investigation into the interior lifeworlds of Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

March 24, 2025

Co-Creative MiND: Inner Lifeworlds of MND

Alumni Staff

Our visual anthropology cohort from 2023-2024 will be presenting their graduation works on 25 and 26 October. The event will include film screenings in blocks of three followed by a brief Q&A, alongside installations and exhibitions.

September 24, 2024

MA Visual Anthropology Showcase 2024

MA News

Discover our offer of courses for different training and skill levels