CCPS will be welcoming Dr. Jack Newsinger from the University of Leicester to give our second research seminar this term on Wednesday 2nd December at 5-6.30pm in G50 of Millburh House.

The paper is entitled 'Austerity, Cultural Policy and Disabled Young People'. An abstract and further details of Jack's research interests are below.

All are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be available. Please contact Paula Watkins on p.watkins@warwick.ac.uk if you plan to come along.

We hope to see you there!

Austerity cultural policy and disabled young people

In 2014 a research team at the University of Leicester began an (ongoing) research project into disability and austerity culture. In this talk I report on findings from the first part of the project which explored the policy and practice environment for disabled children and young people in the East Midlands region of England. The project sought to answer the following questions: how far is a Disability Arts perspective incorporated into regional cultural policy and practice for disabled children and young people? How is austerity affecting cultural provision for disabled children and young people? Research was conducted with 24 organisations across Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire.

The story of disability and cultural policy since the 2008 crisis is a story of the passion, commitment and resistance of grass roots cultural organisations and activists in the face of significant social, political and economic challenges and upheaval. The talk will reflect on these challenges and draw conclusions for the possibilities of more progressive and inclusive forms of policy and practice. It will also reflect upon some of the methodological challenges of the ongoing programme of work.

Bio

Jack Newsinger is lecturer in Media and Communication at the University of Leicester. His research interests are at the intersection of policy and practice in the cultural and creative industries. He has published on British film policy, cultural policy and the creative industries, and the political economy of neoliberalism. Current research focusses on austerity cultural policy, disability, and practitioner perspectives on cultural value and cultural work.