Ms Kate Wilkinson graduated with a masters in arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) for her research that delved into the role of women within the superhero genre.

‘We are exposed to so many superhero films and television series nowadays –that even non superhero buffs are becoming interested by the genre and are watching the films and TV series. I became intrigued by the genre and began to notice the imbalance between male and female superheroes as well as the repetition of the “damsel in distress” formula, which often drives the narrative of the films and television shows, despite the growing movement and popularity of feminist ideals nowadays,’ said Wilkinson.