News from our members

Publishing success
PGR member Alex Fitch has recently published a new article in The Conversation, “100 years of Stan Lee: how the comic book king challenged prejudice” and a chapter – Using Comics to Promote Green and Inclusive Architecture – published in an anthology called Placed Based Sustainability, which was released by Cambridge Scholars in December 2022, and is based on a paper Alex gave at the Architecture Media Politics Society conference in 2021.

Conference success
Barbara Chamberlin and Alex Fitch’s annual conference Graphic Brighton (supported by CAW in 2022) was mentioned in the latest issue of Neuroptica: Estudios Sobre El Comic (Neuroptics: Studies on the Comic), in an article titled: La evolución de los estudios de cómic en el Reino Unido (Developments in Comics Studies in the United Kingdom) by Enrique del Rey Cabero (University of Exeter) and Jorge Catalá (Newcastle University). https://papiro.unizar.es/ojs/index.php/neuroptica/article/view/7256

Brown Britain: Call for participants

About PGR member Najma Yusufi and the Brown Britain project: Currently a final year PhD student at the University of Brighton, my topic being Identification of subconscious and unconscious hybridity in cultural hybrid writing:  contextualization of a third space in cultural hybrid literature particularly in my current novel.

My artistic activities have been focused on creating fiction and non-fiction since the publication of Begums of Peshawar by Hachette in 2018. After earning a master’s degree in creative writing from Cardiff University, I wrote my thesis on the art of oral storytelling in NWFP, Pakistan. During her time in Cardiff, I read pieces at the Cardiff Bay Lit Festival and finished a script called The Radcliffe Line.

I was awarded the David Arnold grant at the University of Brighton, which resulted in the creation of the short film Boxed, which focuses on the debate surrounding hybridity in Generation Z.

I have recently been involved with/working Brown Britain (trademarked) with the aim to create inclusive space for brown people with hybrid identity

• Create awareness of how brown people can be “othered”
• Educate people about the sameness of brown people
• Address issues of alienation of younger brown people that are linked to their identity

I am taping a talk show at the studios of Brighton University. I would love to have you as a guest; the conversation show will be on YouTube and be published in the summer. I am unable to compensate you, but your input will be invaluable. There are topical talks on identity, employment, and relationships in each episode.

If you agree to participate, please let us know. Filming will take place in Brighton between January 24th and 26th Jan. Please contact N.Yusufi@brighton.ac.uk.

Call for book proposals

Intellect Books | Performance and Communities

This book series, edited by Kate Aughterson and Jess Moriarty (CAW co-director), is now accepting book proposals. If your work speaks to the call then please contact Kate or Jess to discuss a proposal of single/multi-authored work.

University of Brighton news and opportunities

Research Seminar
Radical Methodologies Seminar: Systems Theatre with Tom Scholte
When: 5-7pm, Friday 20 January
Where: South downs room, 3rd Floor, Mithras House, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN31FR

Book tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/radical-methodologies-seminar-systems-theatre-with-tom-scholte-tickets-510688552207

Brighton’s Radical Methodologies Research Group is delighted to welcome Tom Scholte from the University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, who will be sharing their work in resolving systemic conflicts through theatre practice.

Scholte is a nationally recognized actor who has appeared in dozens of films, TV shows and plays. Recently, the UBC theatre and film professor has turned their attention to the role that theatre can play in resolving conflict and bridging division. As the artistic director of Conflict Theatre at UBC — a collaboration between Human Resources, the Department of Theatre and Film, and Equity & Inclusion — Scholte uses the tools of forum theatre to help faculty and staff work approach workplace conflict differently. By rehearsing new strategies for difficult conversations, Scholte says participants build resilience, empathy, and emotional intelligence.

Scholte is vice-president of the American Society for Cybernetics and their recent work has drawn on the creative arts to develop what they have termed “critical cybernetics“.

Brighton’s Radical Methodologies Research Group explores counter-conventional approaches to research and practice across varied contexts and disciplines. Centred in design, the group looks to question the roots of methodological assumptions (hence radical – from the Latin radix, or root) and to promote exchange between discourses that tend to get separated out by institutional, disciplinary and departmental structures.

Funding Information from the Research and Knowledge Exchange Team

Researchers can now find out more about three exciting new flagship initiatives designed to support colleagues to work on distinctive and original projects that demonstrate the potential for excellence, deliver a step change in knowledge exchange and impact outcomes, or enhance bid-writing skills to secure external grant funding.

At the University of Brighton, we are proud of our research and knowledge exchange activity, which enriches our teaching, drives important partnerships and collaborations, and produces new knowledge and positive societal impact. In Practical Wisdom: Brighton 2025, we outline our commitment to supporting research and knowledge exchange, and cultivating excellence, sustaining impact and nurturing talent are central to this commitment.

We are, therefore, delighted to launch the Research Excellence Launchpad and Knowledge Exchange and Impact Catalyst Fund initiatives and to be recruiting for the second cohort to our Bid Builder Programme.

Full details of how to apply for these initiatives can be found on the Initiatives SharePoint site or the Bid Builder page.

Exhibition
RECLAIMING SPACE
Brighton CCA
Produced by Pacheanne Anderson, curated by Gem Allison and Rachel O-Williams
Season III of Summer House by RESOLVE Collective
13 Jan – 4 Feb 2023

External news and opportunities

Collaborate funding from the Centre for Cultural Value
There will be an online briefing for academics on 25 January. Further information can be found here

Outside/rs 2023, postgraduate and community conference, June 9^th – 11^th 2023 at the University of Sussex. The conference will be a three-day, in-person event, though delegates will have the option of also attending online. Saturday 10^th June 2023 will focus on the community.

If you are a PhD researcher, or if you work, create or volunteer in the LGBTQIA+ community (including in intersection with other communities or issues), we would love to hear from you! Outside/rs 2023 is a space to challenge the distance between the academy and the community, to make connections, and to learn from each other.

If you would like to take part, please look at the call for participants details here: Solidarity With/In the Community – Outside/rs Conference (wordpress.com), deadline 10 February, and email us at outsiders_conference@yahoo.com

Call for participants
The National Centre for Academic and Cultural Exchange annual policy workshop will be on the theme of Collaborations on Arts and Health.

Our third annual policy workshop on the theme of Collaborations on Arts and Health will take place on 22nd June 2023 and if you are involved in research or in creative collaborations in this area, and would be interested in submitting a brief proposal to present at the event, we would like to hear from you. We are also planning to produce a number of case studies around this theme.

Do get in touch with laura@tcce.co.uk if you would like to contribute.