Judith Aston

Dr Judith Aston is an Associate Professor and Wallscourt Fellow in Film & Digital Arts at the University of the West of England (UWE), affiliated with the ACE - Film and Journalism department. She specializes in interactive documentary, live cinema, and immersive/experimental filmmaking. Her research focuses on narrative approaches in filmmaking, ethnographic practices, and multi-perspectival thinking to address global challenges like climate emergency and social justice. She leads interdisciplinary projects, such as the AHRC Impact project 'Building Healthy Communities' and co-curates i-Docs symposia.

Qualifications include a PhD in Anthropology, Film, and Interaction Design from the Royal College of Art, alongside MA Cantab and professional certifications (FRSA, FRAI, SFHEA). She holds editorial roles in journals like the Journal of Visual Anthropology and advises organizations like the BBC and Open Society Foundation.

Her research explores polyphonic documentary practices, applying Bakhtin’s theories to collaborative storytelling. Notable projects include 'The Russian Winter' (immersive performance) and 'Voices from the Blue Nile' (interactive documentary). She actively seeks PhD students to advance multi-perspectival narratives.