This project was funded by The British Academy SHAPE Involve and Engage (2023-2024).
The SHAPE Involve and Engage Awards are designed to promote creative methods of engaging the public in cutting-edge SHAPE research (which stands for Social Sciences, Humanities and the Arts for People and the Economy). The awards, worth up to £8000 each, support researchers to co-design innovative projects that connect local communities and audiences with SHAPE research topics, and meaningfully involve them in creating new research outputs.
Dr. Rui Su, Senior Lecturer in Tourism at Middlesex University London, has received funding for Taste of Memory, a project in partnership with The London Archives to explore the collective memories of British-Chinese chefs by means of oral history, examining how they negotiate their identities and cope with challenges.
Symeon Ververidis, Engagement and Learning Manager at The London Archives (TLA) says: “We are delighted that this grant will allow us to work with Ming-Ai, Middlesex and the University of Nottingham to discover and share the history of the British-Chinese community.
“We look forward to taking these stories to new audiences, believing that everyone should be able to explore, discuss and celebrate London’s extraordinary history. This ambitious project will establish community ownership in a place where people of all ages and backgrounds can contribute, explore and share collective histories”.
Chungwen Li, Dean of charitable educational organisation Ming-Ai Institute said: “The British Chinese communities in the UK have a long history in the UK catering industry, and have been engaging with the British food culture intensively. We have a long-standing partnership with Middlesex in providing Chinese culture heritage programmes. Ming-Ai has a digital platform, British Chinese Heritage Centre, to preserve and collate the cultural heritage of the British Chinese. This project will enrich its oral history and exhibition collections”.
Carol Zhang, Associate Professor in Tourism Marketing at the University of Nottingham, said: “We are thrilled to announce the successful funding of this interdisciplinary research and knowledge transfer project which represents a significant step towards giving voice to minority communities. We will continue our efforts to make contemporary society more open and diverse, in and beyond this project”.