Riverkin: Co-creating new forms of river management and care
Riverkin: Co-creating new forms of river management and care
Project overview
Riverkin draws on expertise of University of Leeds researchers and artists in collaboration with Nidd Action Group to explore riverkinship and its potential for generating alternative approaches to river management in the UK. Riverkin starts with the idea that human-nature relationships were once, and in many places still are, rooted in kinship, in familial care and responsibility. Kinship with rivers has formed a vital part of campaigns for water care and health in other parts of the world e.g. on the Whanganui River in Aotearoa New Zealand. However, in places driven primarily by capital, like the UK, rivers have become increasingly related to as ‘things’ to be exploited. This evolution from ‘kin’ to ‘thing’ bears significant responsibility for the UK’s current water crises. In a recent paper, we argue that reigniting riverkinship could help reverse this crisis. Business as usual is not an option, making it important to test alternatives now. This project has two main objectives:
- Co-create with River Nidd communities and stakeholders their (owned) concept of riverkinship.
- Identify with these groups practical ways riverkinship can apply to water management practices towards improved river-people-community wellbeing.
Towards these ends, we are hosting a number of events in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, in Spring and Summer 2025:
Thursday 1 May, 4 - 6pm, Centre on Gracious Street, Knaresborough HG5 8AN.
Evening discussion on kinship and river management and care, with short presentations, Q&A and discussion with three exceptional experts:
Cristy Clark, University of Canberra, a law scholar with a broad knowledge about kinship-based water management
Hayden Turoa, Researcher at the University of Canterbury, Māori leader and Project Director at the Whanganui Port Revitalisation Project
Nicolas Salazar Sutil, Writer, researcher, community builder, climate activist and founder of Guardians Worldwide.
Teas, coffees, biscuits and cake will be provided.
Everyone is warmly invited and welcome to this free event, although please register so we have an idea of numbers. In the registration form you will have the opportunity to pose any questions you may already have. We will do our best to discuss these at the event.
While we would encourage in-person participation in the event, we will set up an online option if participants indicate they would prefer to join online (there is an option to indicate this on the registration form).
Friday 2 May, ‘Floating Seminar’ with representatives from NAG, Yorkshire Water, Environment Agency, Kinship Carers, sound recordist, academics and photographer, all rowing together on the River Nidd. The idea will be to discuss insight and the ‘feel’ of the river. Workshop afterwards with participants to capture ideas. This event is fully booked.
Tuesday 20 May, 12 - 6pm: Art-related public engagement event alongside the River Nidd in central Knaresborough. Visitors will be asked to express their memories, relationships, thoughts connected to the Nidd. This event will also include ‘Threads of Connection’ - a quilting activity with University of Leeds PhD student Madison Wright.
June - July, Public exhibition in Knaresborough showcasing material and themes from events.
Project team
Dr Josh Cohen, (Water@Leeds)
The Nidd, the Shining Goddess. The 3 reservoirs Angram, Scar and Gouthwaite form her hair, brain and heart. Image copyright James McKay. Used under a creative commons licence.
