Participatory Arts for Geo-heritage Engagement (PAGE)

Overview

We are forming a multi-disciplinary network to develop arts-based participatory approaches for geo-heritage engagement in the Tees Valley area, working with Earth Science Outreach UK as our partners.

Our public engagement activities aim to:

• build confidence and aspiration in young people around both arts and geoscience;
• generate community pride in the shared geo-heritage of the area, realising this through creative arts practice and increased knowledge on local geology;
• increase environmental & science awareness, using textiles and clothing in several of our workshops as starting points for discussion;
• communicate the connections between earth science, textile production and clothing waste.

Key questions we have as researchers:

• How effective are arts practices as participatory methods to engage audiences with understanding their local geo-heritage?
• Can local geo-heritage be used to generate understanding of the relationship between earth sciences and textile production, engaging communities with the environmental impacts of clothing production and disposal?

Network details

Network leads

• Sonja Andrew, Associate Professor, School of Design
• Fiona Gill, Professor of Earth Science, School of Earth and Environment
• Eleanor Scott Senior Lecturer in Fashion Design, School of Design.

Other University of Leeds team members

• Joanna Blanco-Velo, Senior Lecturer at the School of Design
• Charles Woodhouse, Technician, School of Earth and Environment.

External partners

• Liam Herringshaw, Earth Science Outreach UK
• Catherine Howard, independent researcher in participatory textile practices in secondary education.

Contact

• [email protected]

Workshops