22-year-old Carlin Bowman Kerbage, an Edinburgh-raised, proud Lebanese-Scottish creative with a curiosity for media, technology, and society, found the perfect home at QMU.
After starting out in Public Relations and Marketing Communications, Carlin discovered his real passion lay in Media and Communications - a course that encouraged him to explore ideas, challenge perspectives, and grow in confidence. His final-year dissertation on Generative AI not only tapped into one of the biggest conversations of our time, but also won a prestigious academic award, recognising his fresh take on how emerging technologies shape our world.
Now a graduate, Carlin credits QMU’s supportive environment and inspiring lecturers for helping him find his voice and direction. With ambitions to work in international politics and advocate for positive change, he’s proof that following your interests can lead to unexpected and exciting places.
Find out more in his Student Story.
Why did you choose to study at QMU?
It was actually recommended to me by one of my friends. She studied Drama and Performance some years ago, and sold me on how supportive an environment it was for her. After completing my HNC in Television Production at Fife College, she convinced me it was worth giving university (and specifically QMU) a go. I studied two courses at QMU. I initially started out as a second-year direct entrant on the Public Relations and Marketing Communications course. However, after spending a year studying this degree, I switched to QMU’s Media and Communications course, which was definitely more suited to my interests, and I later graduated with First Class honours. Â
Why Media and Communications?
Media has always been my thing really. I was especially interested in the creative arts, filmmaking, and whatnot from a young age, so I taught myself how to use video editing software, then got into photography, and 3D animation. I've always had interest in the practical aspect, but equally, I've long held a fascination with technology since I was a kid, and as I found myself growing older, the intersection of media, technology, and the implications for society - that's where I found my passion. So, I chose this course at QMU because it was one that combined each of these elements.
What did you most enjoy about your course?
I'm a person who has always had many interests, and the course gave me a formal environment to explore each of these. I particularly enjoyed class discussions, both with my peers and my lecturers, where I challenged their ideas and my own. My course was a great place for personal and intellectual growth in that respect. I used to be quite reserved, but I really feel as if I was able to overcome that, and quicker than I would have thought. Â
How did your lecturers support your learning?
My lecturers were all incredibly supportive, with many taking their time to get to know me as an individual, while guiding me towards really interesting areas of research. I always knew that if I had a question, I could go to them. They really helped to reassure me and build my confidence. I was very lucky in that respect.
Tell us about your dissertation and how you came to choose your topic.
I’ve been following the progress of Generative AI as a hobby since around 2018, well before it became this big, popular, and well-known thing. Initially, it was just rather amusing, that a computer could produce some nonsensical short stories on its own, and later, images. But it became apparent, especially as what was once a really niche technology outwith trivial experimentation became popular, receiving this huge investment and public attention, that there would be very real social and political implications. I was largely inspired by the ‘Media, Politics, and Culture’ module that was part of my course in third year, which really focused on the power mis/disinformation could, and has previously had on society, and I was able to integrate these ideas with my own knowledge of the technology itself. That, and of course, my dissertation supervisor really encouraged me to push myself for the project, rather than simply settle for an easier option.
How did it feel to win such a prestigious award for your work?
It was definitely nice to be recognised, and to be honest, a bit of a shock. I’m really grateful for the encouragement of my supervisor, Dr Isidoropaolo Casteltrione, as without this, I never would have put myself forward for this award. The original feedback I got for my dissertation from my supervisor was really helpful, and if that was anything to go by, then I’m very proud. Â
What have you been doing since graduating?
I've been doing a lot of travelling, mostly to Central Europe and the Middle East, and I’ve also just recently started a master's at the University of St Andrews in International Political Theory.
Tell us about your ambitions and where you see yourself in the future?
For now, I’m just focused on continuing my studies, but with that said, I’m looking at moving to Europe for a while. Ideally, I’d like to work for some kind of international political organisation, advocating for positive change within my area of specialism. Whatever I choose to do, I want it to have purpose. I’m also definitely considering further study beyond my master's.
Would you like to do any further research into AI?
I definitely plan on it, but for the moment, I’m pivoting to political theory, as in my view, the two subjects are very related. AI will be a defining frontier for my generation, especially as it concerns the rules of war, and ethics as they are understood today.
