Publications
As part of research and evaluation projects I have led on since 2015, I have written a number of publications for print, media and project reporting purposes. A selection of these publications is outlined below.
I am currently working on publications for Battersea Arts Centre, Streetwise Opera, the University of Exeter and theatre company Sounds Like Chaos.
I am currently working on publications for Battersea Arts Centre, Streetwise Opera, the University of Exeter and theatre company Sounds Like Chaos.
Far Apart UK
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The COVID-19 pandemic has created an urgent problem for mental health in young people, especially those living in large cities. Arts organisations in London, Manchester and Cardiff with strong community links play a vital role in promoting mental wellbeing, by engaging young people (aged 16-24) with different art forms and methodologies.
Far Apart UK focuses on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and its social restrictions and how arts organisations in the UK have adapted their activities by using online platforms and other means to support the mental health of young people. The study uses mixed methods, combining semi-structured interviews, surveys and artistic workshops. Follow the link here to read the full research report. |
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Counting Culture
What do we need to know about how the creative economy can deliver equitable, just and sustainable development in Brazil and the UK?
This is an extensive analysis of cultural policy in Brazil and the UK to understand the main debates in both countries and ensure that the Relative Values methodology builds on the opportunities and challenges facing policy makers. In the literature review, bulletins and policy briefings below we aim to capture our findings. The project was led by People's Palace Projects (PPP) with contributing writers and academics from the UK and Brazil. Read the literature review here that looks to understand developments in UK cultural policy between 1919 and 2020, and focuses on three questions: What defines the UK’s cultural policy model? How have policies been implemented and evolved over this period of time? Who enacts UK cultural policy?
This is an extensive analysis of cultural policy in Brazil and the UK to understand the main debates in both countries and ensure that the Relative Values methodology builds on the opportunities and challenges facing policy makers. In the literature review, bulletins and policy briefings below we aim to capture our findings. The project was led by People's Palace Projects (PPP) with contributing writers and academics from the UK and Brazil. Read the literature review here that looks to understand developments in UK cultural policy between 1919 and 2020, and focuses on three questions: What defines the UK’s cultural policy model? How have policies been implemented and evolved over this period of time? Who enacts UK cultural policy?
Cultural Entrepreneurship: Unlocking Potential through Value Creation
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This PhD thesis explores the challenges and opportunities of cultural entrepreneurship, exploring current conceptualisations of cultural entrepreneurs and to find new perspectives and recommendations for cultural entrepreneurs of the future. Cultural entrepreneurship is a contested, yet essential aspect of the growth of artists and arts organisations globally. Though there are similarities, this research demonstrates that cultural entrepreneurs from different backgrounds, industries and of varied sizes need different things and have different barriers so cannot be understood in the same way. Digital technologies and local networks do offer new possibilities for innovation however these are limited in scope and require further investigation and investment. Despite psychological, political and financial barriers to entrepreneurship in the creative industries, finding a balance between artistic, social, economic and institutional innovation for the various actors throughout the arts offers key insights to how artists and arts organisations can be more entrepreneurial. Full thesis accessible here.
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Activate Feltham: Interim Pilot Report 2020
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Activate Feltham is inspired by The Agency programme, a project co-designed with the prison staff; the boys in Fetham and The Agency team at Battersea Arts Centre. Planning sessions were held to turn the 12 weeks of Cycle 1 into a 12-week programme (running October 2019- January 2020), using some elements of the Agency methodology and culminating in The Panel with the Governor of the prison on week 12 and other special guests. Facilitators worked with between 11-25 young people from the Platinum Community per session, approximately 35 young people in total. Download the full report here:
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Arts Professional article: Creating Creative Entrepreneurs
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With creativity at its heart, entrepreneurs create an opportunity to provide a product, service or experience, joining up resources and networks needed to turn that idea into a reality. Creativity is necessary both in developing business ideas but also making them happen through innovative practice, bringing together unique combinations of public and private resources to enhance social and cultural opportunities. The Agency, a creative entrepreneurship programme that puts young people a the centre of change in their communities, works in alignment with this ethos. Building on my PhD research, this article, written with colleague Roisin Feeny, uses the practical example of The Agency to discuss about developing young entrepreneurs. Read the article here.
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The Agency Report 2019
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The Agency works with young people aged 15 to 25 from some of the most deprived areas in the UK to create social change projects based on the needs they identify in their communities. The programme began in 2013 through a partnership between Battersea Arts Centre (BAC), Contact and People’s Palace Projects (PPP). Since the pilot year in 2013, it has had a significant impact not only on the young people who have taken part but also the organisations and communities that enable them to realise their ideas. The Agency is not only a tool for individual empowerment and social mobility, but has the potential to provide an emancipatory education to drive social innovation and solve systemic social problems. The programme is based on Agência de Redes para Juventude, founded by Marcus Faustini in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2011. Read the full report here.
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S.M.I.L.E.ing Boys Project
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Responding to the recent rise in knife crime in London, the S.M.I.L.E (SEND ME INSPIRING LOVING ENERGY)-ing Boys Project is a research led photography, poetry and immersive art project which addresses the overall wellbeing of young black boys between the ages of 13 -25 through workshops, exhibitions, mentorship, and field study. The project uses the 8 Pillars of Happiness as defined by the Happiness Institute in Copenhagen, Denmark. It explores how teaching these principles can have an impact on the rising numbers of youth violence and murders in the UK over the past year. The initial stage of the project was held with 50 young, black boys in Year 9 at a school in Lambeth, supported by the Wellcome Trust, with further workshops and events held at Battersea Arts Centre, supported by Arts Council England. Read the full report here.
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The Agency: Blackhorse Workshop
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The Agency is a creative entrepreneurship programme for young people in Waltham Forest as part of the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture 2019. The scheme was led by Battersea Arts Centre and run by Blackhorse Workshop in Walthamstow. This intense programme helped develop the creativity and fresh ideas of young Londoners. As well as project management and business skills, they learned how to network and develop creative ways to solve problems. By the end of the course, they were ready to bring their entrepreneurial ambitions to life, delivering their social change projects with and for the community in which they live. The Agency in Waltham Forest joins other Agency projects across the UK in Battersea, Manchester, Cardiff and Belfast, and the original programme in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Download the full report here:
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Agents of Creative Change: King's Pilot report
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Since 2015, Agents of Creative Change has been a free professional development programme for artists, public and third sector professionals. The programme is open to all those who are interested in collaboration and new ideas. Previous participants have included those working in the police, local government, health services, employment and offender management. Artists have come from a wide variety of backgrounds including music & beatbox, design, writing, photography, performance work, digital and community theatre. Download the full report here:
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Agency Report 2017
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The Agency works with young people aged 15 to 25 from some of the most deprived areas in the UK to create social change projects based on the needs they identify in their communities. The programme began in 2013 through a partnership between Battersea Arts Centre (BAC), Contact and People’s Palace Projects (PPP). Since the pilot year in 2013, it has had a significant impact not only on the young people who have taken part but also the organisations and communities that enable them to realise their ideas. The Agency is not only a tool for individual empowerment and social mobility, but has the potential to provide an emancipatory education to drive social innovation and solve systemic social problems. The programme is based on Agência de Redes para Juventude, founded by Marcus Faustini in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2011. Read the full report here.
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Creative Museums Final Report
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Creative Museums was an 18-month programme working closely with six museums across England to explore Battersea Arts Centre's Scratch method within their organisations, their teams and their day-to-day creativity. The primary research questions were:
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Chiltern Music Therapy
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As Research & Evaluation Manager at Chiltern Music Therapy, I wrote a number of reports examining the social impact of music therapy in a variety of settings, from neuro-rehabilitative approaches for stroke patients to therapy on neonatal intensive care units and mental health wards. This involved actively working with music therapists, clinicians and academics to collect, analyse and report data on the impact of their work.
Reports available upon request. |