Cohort 2026 PhD Project
About The Project
This project will address the challenge of enhancing young people’s political literacy — their confidence and ability to navigate different, often polarised, viewpoints on political issues — in Nottingham and region. It will do so through exploring the rich potential of a collection of local printed political propaganda from the 1850s and 1860s held at Nottingham Local Studies Library. The collection, including newspapers, handbills, election literature and political dramas (plays and handbills) provides opportunities for engaging young (14-21) contemporary audiences with politics in creative and insightful ways, particularly through the medium of performance.
The project will, firstly, research the local propaganda materials, mapping the local spaces in which they were performed, and uncovering points of connection between historical and contemporary debates concerning Nottingham’s political representation. Particular attention will be paid to highlighting the satirical methods and performative devices (drama, humour, irony) used to critique local political actors in comic but peaceful ways. Secondly, the results will be used to devise creative methods (including performance) for enhancing young people’s political literacy in the present day, through developing a toolkit of resources for use in schools, colleges and youth groups.
Throughout the research, the project will work with young people and those who work with them to inform, co-design and prototype ways of creatively and relevantly engaging contemporary audiences with material of this nature. Young people will contribute their perspectives and experiences through co-designed workshops, storytelling and participatory discussion activities hosted by the community partner, Nottingham Central Library. They will also present some of the historic propaganda materials, whether as performances or through installations at the Library and other appropriate venues. The feedback generated by participants and audiences will help to refine the toolkit, producing a series of resources which can be used beyond the lifespan of the project.
This project has been co-created with and is supported by researchers from Nottingham Trent University, University of Nottingham and partners at Nottingham City Libraries.
Project Aims
The overall aims of the project are:
To develop and prototype a toolkit of resources for engaging young people with political issues and enhancing their political literacy.
To engage young people (14-21), and those who work with them, to enhance their political literacy, their confidence and ability to navigate different, often polarised, viewpoints on political issues, through creativity and performance.
To expand young people’s engagement with politics and democracy, enhance their understanding of how politics works, and develop the skills required to critically appraise political information in different formats, and identify and challenge misinformation.
To explore and contextualise a collection of mid-nineteenth century printed propaganda materials, uncovering points of connection with contemporary political debates, including tactics and strategies for making arguments through satirical and performative devices.
To empower young people with practical tools to navigate and influence political processes, and articulate their own political concerns, through participatory workshops, storytelling, and creative performances.
Project Team
- PhD Candidate: CJ De Barra
- Lead Academic Supervisor: Dr Andrea Moneta (Nottingham Trent University )
- Academic Co-Supervisor: Dr Richard Gaunt (University of Nottingham)
- Community Supervisor: Lynda Naylor (Nottingham City Libraries)