Biography

Hello! My name is Gabrielle Ferreira, and I am a researcher with a PhD in Media and Communication from the University of Oslo. I have a genuine passion for television and audiences, and my main expertise lies in understanding what makes people connect with the content they watch. Combining qualitative and quantitative methods, I make sense of complex data across multiple markets to uncover broader trends.

For my PhD project, I investigated the transformations in how television content travels across borders, using the expansion of Turkish dramas in Western Europe as a case study. Findings reveal profound changes on both the industry and audience sides, drawing attention to the dynamics behind the rise of new players in the global television market, and to the growing interest among viewers in content that showcases cultural difference rather than cultural proximity.

Previously, I investigated how Turkish dramas were replacing Latin American telenovelas by mapping out emerging audience patterns in Brazil and Uruguay. I have also contributed to projects exploring the narrative innovations and marketing strategies adopted by Brazilian telenovelas and reality TV in response to market transformations.

I am very curious about the multiple ways in which culture, media, and people are interconnected. This curiosity drives a key strength of my work: engaging directly with primary and secondary sources across different markets, cultures, and languages, as I speak fluent English, Portuguese, and Spanish, and advanced Norwegian and French. I also enjoy sharing my knowledge, whether through teaching bachelor’s and master’s students, presenting at conferences, or writing laid-back non-academic texts.

Feel free to contact me if you want to discuss ideas or simply chat about TV!