News: New REG – Material History

The University of Brighton’s Material History Group is based in the School of Arts and Media (SAM). Our overarching intent is to defy easy binaries at every level: we thus draw our membership from academics and practitioners, and staff and students; we use both traditional and innovative methods from academic and practice fields; in analysing cultural artefacts, we insist on the parity and importance of both written and practical work. Equally, besides reassessing items traditionally prized and assigned cultural importance, such as art works and archives, our work also urges the revaluation of ephemeral items, those made with less thought for value or longevity, including magazines, printed adverts, personal documents, film slides, and garments. Our diverse subjects and approaches are brought together to give fresh perspectives to material culture and artefact research.

Membership:

  • Sue Breakell, Director of the University of Brighton Design Archive
  • Steph Harrison, PhD Student
  • Lisa Hood, PhD Student,
  • Tamar Jeffers McDonald, Professor of Film History, Dean of the School of Art and Media
  • Vanessa Marr, Principal Lecturer, School of Art and Media
  • Marie McLoughlin, Honorary Fellow, School of Art and Media

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