Dr Camilla Morelli

RESEARCH OVERVIEW

My research explores the lives of children and youth in Amazonian Peru. I have conducted ethnographic fieldwork over the past ten years working with indigenous Matses people, where I examine how children and youth are making active choices that will critically shape the future of indigenous societies in Latin America and beyond. My research approach is quintessentially child-centred, meaning that I address children as primary research participants in order to explore and bring out their own perspectives, voices and worldviews. To do this, I apply a range of visual and participatory methods that can explore children’s imagination and knowledge beyond words, including drawing, participatory photography and co-production of animation.

CURRENT PROJECT

My current project—Animating the Future, funded by the British Academy—is a collaboration with academic researchers, professional animators and indigenous artists that aims at tackling the challenges faced by indigenous Amazonian youth in rural-urban transition. We are conducting research and co-producing animated films with young people from four indigenous groups in Amazonia, using participatory animation as a research method and a form of collaborative storytelling that can allow these young migrants to discuss the difficulties they are facing while producing tangible outputs (animated films) that can amplify their voices both locally and internationally.

SUPERVISION

I am interested in supervising postgraduate students conducting projects with a focus on childhood and youth, indigenous Amazonia, and participatory methods, especially drawing and animation.