11 Sep 2023
Fourteen researchers across thirteen projects are the first to receive funding via the British Academy’s new SHAPE Involve and Engage Awards, a pilot scheme designed to support creative methods of engaging the public with cutting edge SHAPE research (social sciences, humanities and the arts for people and the economy). Each award is in partnership with a regional cultural organisation, including galleries, libraries, archives and museums. The scheme attracted notably high demand, receiving many more applications than anticipated.
The awards, of up to £8000 each, will support the researchers to develop innovative public engagement projects and activities, co-designed in collaboration with their chosen cultural organisation. The projects will inspire and connect local communities and audiences with SHAPE research topics and meaningfully involve them in the creation of new research outputs.
The researchers awarded SHAPE Involve and Engage grants for 2023-2024 are:
- Richard Anderson, Lecturer in the History of Slavery, University of Aberdeen for the project Aberdeen in Africa, Africa in Aberdeen: Community Co-Curation in Decolonising Collections, Campus, and Community – in partnership with Scottish Civic Trust
- Rui Su, Senior Lecturer in Tourism, Middlesex University, for the project Taste of Memory – in partnership with London Metropolitan Archives
- Meg Kobza, Leverhulme Early Career Fellow, Newcastle University, for the project Taking Your Fancy: the experience of Georgian Fancy Dress for today’s heritage audiences – in partnership with National Trust Bath Assembly Rooms
- Shakthi Nataraj, Lecturer of Sociology, Lancaster University for the project Queering Theory through Arts and Crafts – in partnership with QUEERCIRCLE
- Francesca Adele Murialdo, Senior Lecturer, Director of Programmes in Interior Architecture and Design, Middlesex University, for the project Kilburn Museum Lab – in partnership with Kilburn LibraryAndrea Livesey, Senior Lecturer in the History of Slavery, Liverpool John Moores University for the project From Slavery to Roe vs Wade: Using Theatre to Explore Black Diasporic Understandings of Reproductive Health and Justice – in partnership with International Slavery Museum, National Museums Liverpool, and Collective Encounters
- Kathryn Moore and Alex Albans, Professor of Landscape Architecture and Director, West Midlands National Park Lab, Birmingham City University for the project Number 11: Know Your Place – in partnership with Library of Birmingham (Central Library)
- Katherine Astbury, Professor of French Studies, University of Warwick, for the project Freedom and Photography – in partnership with English Heritage and Photoworks
- Denise Baden, Professor of Sustainable Practice, University of Southampton for the project Engaging the Public in Climate Solutions via Interactive Theatre – in partnership with Southampton City Libraries