Collaboratory Researcher Profiles
Project Title: Reviving the Past to Inform the Future: Enhancing Young People’s Political Literacy Through History and Performance
What were you doing before starting this PhD?
I was a journalist and author who published books on Nottingham’s Queer History and neurodiversity. I started the Notts Queer History Archive, which documented the city’s LGBT+ history through 202 oral history interviews. The archive also holds 1330 historical items from 1900 to 2026 and 800 newspaper articles from 1770 to 2026. As part of the archive, I organised events to share the heritage, stories and also encourage others to get involved in archiving. I also worked in various forms (consultant or residency) on different LGBT+ heritage projects with the National Justice Museum, the British Film Institute, Backlit Gallery and many others.
What motivated you to apply for this specific PhD project?
I have a background in history and a degree in performance art, so the chance to combine the two and work with existing archival material sounded perfect. I also really wanted the chance to work on a project that has a real benefit for the community – in particular young people. I was interested in examining how performance could be used to share research findings with the general public.
What difference do you hope to make in Nottingham through this research?
One of the aims of the research is to develop a toolkit that can be used by organisations to engage young people and get them to think critically about what they are being told through the media or their phones. Ultimately, to get them engaged with politics and their histories. Another aim is to increase the visibility for the wonderful collections available at Local Studies in Central Library. I hope I can have an effect on the young people we will be working with, helping them engage with history and politics.
What do you hope to be doing in 5 years’ time?
I would like to be working within history and heritage….in any capacity. I really love what I do and my research topic. I would love to be able to keep doing work arlund this and also, keep hosting events and teaching. Oh, and hopefully write another book!