1. Public Engagement through Science-Fiction with Young Visitors to FACT, Liverpool
Christina Brennan, The University of Manchester
AHRC-funded PhD placement at Liverpool’s Foundation of Art and Creative Technology.
Focused on pubic engagement activities including film screening series for young visitors called, ‘Science-Fiction Films to Challenge the Future’.
Screenings were followed by activities encouraging discussion of global warming and the environment with reference to FACT’s ‘New Observatory’ exhibition.
Background
Wanuri Kahiu’s science-fiction film Pumzi (2009)
Workshop, ‘What is Dystopia?’, centred on science-fiction film Pumzi (first sci-fi film produced in Kenya).
Encouraged young visitors to imagine their own dystopia with the choice of writing a short-story or creating a map of their dystopia.
FACT’s Education and Learning Team advised on workshop activities to complement FACT’s ‘New Observatory’ summer exhibition.
Sample Workshop: ‘What is Dystopia?’
Foundation of Art and Creative Technology, Liverpool
PhD placements demonstrate PhD and ECR researchers’ professional potential to support projects within UK cultural organisations.
Professional guidance from cultural organisations can mutually enhance university research projects.
Funding bodies can support PhD researchers in laying groundwork for future collaboration between academics and organisations to produce public programmes.
Outcome
Film Still from Wanuri Kahiu’s science-fiction film Pumzi (2009)