David Gauntlett

David Gauntlett is a British sociologist and media theorist. He specializes in the study of contemporary media audiences, everyday digital media, and the role of such media in self-identity and self-expression. He graduated from the University of York in Sociology in 1992. He then took his PhD and taught at the University of Leeds from 1993 to 2002. He was then appointed Professor of Media and Audiences at Bournemouth University. In 2006 he joined the School of Media and Communications. Gauntlett's critique of media 'effects' studies sparked controversy in 1995. He slammed the effects model saying the following things:

- The model tackles social problems backwards

- It treats children as inadequate

- Assumptions within the effects model are characterised by barely-concealed conservative ideology

- Inadequately defines its own objects of study

- Often based on artificial studies

- Often based on studies with misapplied methodology

- Selective in its criticism of media depictions of violence

- Assumes superiority to the masses

- Makes no attempt to understand the meanings of the media

- Not grounded in theory

Since then he has published a number of books and research on the role of popular media in people's lives. In particular he has focused on the way in which digital media is changing the experience of media in general. Since the late 1990's, he has produced the website Theory.org.uk. In 2007, Gauntlett published a notable article about Media Studies 2.0.

In 2008 Gauntlett proposed 'the Make and Connect Agenda', an attempt to rethink audience studies in the context of media users as producers, as well as consumers of media material. This argues that there is a shift from a 'sit-back-and-be-told culture' to a 'making-and-doing culture', and that harnessing creativity in both Web 2.0 and in other everyday creative activities will play a role in tackling environmental problems. These ideas are developed further in 'Making is Connecting'.