Research and Facilitation
I conduct research, workshops, facilitation and consultancy with and for arts and cultural sector organisations and groups. Curiosity and learning with others drives my research and facilitation work.
I craft each project in conversation with who I'm working with, using a range of approaches including participatory action research, ethnography, interviews, mapping and creative prototyping.
I draw on community-centred design processes, creative exploration, anti-oppression practices and embracing of undervalued knowledge.
My key research interests and experience:
Community-informed design and creative pedagogies
Ethical participatory and collaborative practice
Performance and Live Art
Sound work, listening and improvisation
Alternative economics and resourcing
Governance and organisational development
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Recent projects include:
Design justice-centred approaches to collaborative practice
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategies
Accountability and what this looks like
Future scenarios
Online curating
Research
Recent projects include
Fostering Equity in the Visual Arts - Findings from the CVAN Fair and Equitable programme on creating conditions for artists and arts workers from underrepresented and marginalised communities to thrive (2022)
I was the lead author of this research report about the visual arts sector in England, bringing together primary research and existing research and broader Equity, Diversity and Inclusion work in the arts and cultural sector.
The 60 page report and 8 page bite size report including recommendations can be downloaded here
Launched June 2022
Live Art Sector Research - A Report Mapping the UK Live Art Sector (2019-21)
I was the co-lead of the research collective for the first major mapping of the impact and influence of the UK Live Art sector, commissioned by Arts Council England and Live Art UK
Experience the research project here
Launched Autumn 2021
Illustration: Rachel Sale
Teaching and workshops
Sharing my knowledge and experiences through teaching and workshops are important parts of my practice. I facilitate workshops for students, artists and creative practitioners, and hold space for arts and culture organisations.
I frequently give guest lectures and conduct workshops at art colleges and universities.
I'm currently Associate Lecturer in Visual Communication at the Royal College of Art.
From 2013-18, I was Tutor (Research), School of Communication, Royal College of Art, London, UK. I developed the MA Information Experience Design: Sound Design pathway. I was also a knowledge exchange researcher, working on social design and innovation projects with industrial clients, and shaped a research cluster exploring the social context of sound.
In collaboration with Prof Neville Brody, I established the experimental design community of practice ‘Design Without’ which was a vital part of the School of Communication programme from 2011-2022.