Introducing our PhD Researchers: Sarah Hughes

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Abigail Gilmore

My PhD research explores culture and the construction of civic identity in South and West Yorkshire in the industrial and post-industrial ages. My project is being supervised by Dr Lisanne Gibson in the School of Museum Studies at the University of Leicester and is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) as part of the Understanding Everyday Participation – Articulating Cultural Value project.

One of the key areas of focus for the Understanding Everyday Participation project is upon histories of cultural participation and governance. This work aims to increase understanding of how modern perceptions of cultural participation and value have developed. The research that I shall be undertaking in South and West Yorkshire will form a part of the historical strand of the wider Understanding Everyday Participation project.

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It isn’t every day you get to meet Jesus

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Abigail Gilmore

By Susan Oman

As a kid, the murmur of the footie scores balanced the buzz of Saturday tea. The week’s only night of fast food was a feast: salt and vinegar crisps, sandwiched between 2 slices of thin white sliced. It felt a long awaited treat, hanging out with Dad watching Bullseye and other Saturday night schedule shockers. Given the lack of interest in sport in our house, it’s remained a mystery why the scores were ever on, but the monotonous tone reflected its content to an eight year old, and as a result I’ve inherited Dad’s indifference to Sport. That is, apart from the excitement we shared watching ‘the arrers’. The enthusiasm of players and supporters alike used to fill the lounge; and we embraced the Sport’s great personalities, cherishing old favourites and cheering young upstarts. As with most childish things, I left my diet of crisp sandwiches behind and my cultural consumption expanded beyond Bullseye on the box; but I held on to hopes of one day going to the Darts.

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Introducing our PhD researchers: Susan Oman

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Abigail Gilmore

Susan Oman doing some everyday participation

UPDATED: Susan’s latest UEP profile can now be found here

Working title: All being well: cultures of participation and the cult of measurement

I am a doctoral student at the ESRC Centre for Research on Socio-Cultural Change (CRESC) based at the University of Manchester. My research is inter-disciplinary, bridging the social sciences and humanities, and investigates the politics of cultural practices, participation and well-being. Continue reading →

Everyday Participation in Parliament

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Abigail Gilmore

In December the Understanding Everyday Participation – Articulating Cultural Values project (UEP) was chosen by the AHRC to highlight its cross-Research Council, Connected Communities programme at a high profile Research Councils UK (RCUK) event in the House of Commons. Entitled Underpinning UK Growth and Well-Being, the purpose of this event was to raise awareness of the impact and benefits of publicly funded research with parliamentarians, peers and business.

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AHRC filming in Salford

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Abigail Gilmore

By Andy Miles On 8th November, we were up in Higher Broughton, Salford, the first eco-system case study, on a film shoot with the Arts and Humanities Research Council. This film will be used to profile the Connected Communities research project on the AHRC website and also at a forthcoming all-party Parliamentary event. The shooting involved a number of local people representing different communities of interest in the area, including the local authority, youth service, community gardens and allotments and a sports club. Andy Miles provided the introduction to our research. Many thanks to all those involved in coordination and filming, in particular Shirley Lundstram, Salford City Council, and the staff at Fit City Broughton Pool and Broughton Hub library.

About Everyday Participation

Posted on October 21, 2012 by Abigail Gilmore

Understanding Everyday Participation – Articulating Cultural Value is a five year research project funded by the Arts Humanities Research Council, part of their Connected Communities: Cultures and Creative Economies programme.

The project is led by Dr. Andrew Miles, ESRC Centre for Research on Socio-Cultural Change, University of Manchester and involves Continue reading →

Culture – Participation – Policy

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Abigail Gilmore

Welcome to the Understanding Everyday Participation blog – Culture, Participation, Policy. We aim to keep you posted through this resource with updates on the team’s activities across the various work packages of the research project and by disseminating relevant news and views from our partners and networks.