Capstones
Graduation Date
Fall 12-13-2022
Grading Professor
Kristine Villanueva and Alyxaundria Sanford
Subject Concentration
Social Journalism
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Abstract
From September 2021 through December 2022 I worked with birth mothers and adoptees who are making efforts to complicate the narrative around adoption online. This resulted in a multi-platform project, creating a highly successful TikTok channel, an Instagram page, a private Facebook group and a Substack newsletter. The platforms decided on as well as the content on these platforms were decided upon in collaboration with the community, using deep listening and collecting both qualitative and quantitative data. I conducted six callouts through each ideation phase of the project, learning about where the media is falling short with regards to information needs and adoption coverage; community demographics; importance of anonymity and news product usage. I also conducted several listening posts with both birth mothers and adoptees, worked closely with non-profit organizations, conducted dozens of interviews and rigorously engaged online. This resulted in gaining trust from community members who are otherwise weary of press, making it possible for them to share their story when before they may not have. This final report details out the accountability gaps and information needs my community has dealt with, the measures we took to rectify this, all of what the project entailed and loads of qualitative and quantitative data, showing the impact this project has had on my community.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTp-fPsVy5AS7-ukKKOmiptHFQ-ZW_7wpbBz5XheSPeyCpcO3fdfZPntVnvBAXL-d4pD8LDlFuh2ixn/pub
You may view the presentation I did here: https://youtu.be/NXjtpcsIQCE?t=3061
Recommended Citation
McHugh, Amanda K., "Complicating the Narrative with the Adoption Constellation" (2022). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gj_etds/639