Outreach events

Since 2019, Hope Bachmann has been researching the work and impact of
Opera North as a Theatre of Sanctuary for her PhD. On 11 December 2023, her colleagues at Opera North came together to learn from her findings.

Garrett Brown spoke to 30 members of the UK Department of Health and Social Care on zoonosis risk and its implications for health security policy. This followed four one-on-one meetings with the DHSC lead on global health. His research on pandemic financing and governance has informed the DHSC thinking on their current drafting of a global strategy document. He will be meeting again with the DHSC in June to discuss this further.

The workshop brought together scholars and practitioners to explore emerging challenges and opportunities in the practices of everyday democratic citizenship. The participants examined the potential of everyday citizenship from a flexible and interdisciplinary perspective, one that it is firmly rooted in the lived experience and practical expertise of those working in and around the democracy of everyday living.

On 13th June 2023, the University of Leeds hosted Yasmin El-Rifae, the author of Radius: A Story of Feminist Revolution. In conversation with Sahla Aroussi and Maša Mrovlje, Yasmin discussed her work on feminist activism during the Egyptian Revolution and reflect on the intersections of gender, violence and civic engagement more broadly.

In the 8th episode of the Croatian Political Science Podcast, Derek Edyvane discussed his forthcoming book titled The Politics of Politeness: Citizenship, Civility, and the Democracy of Everyday Life. Are politeness and rudeness of our daily interactions political and how exactly? Is it better to strive for perfect citizenship or to avoid bad citizenship? Find out by tuning in to the latest episode of the Political Science Podcast!

Garrett Brown was invited on multiple occasions by the Article 19 and 20 Sub-Committee to give expert evidence to WHO Member States involved with the International Negotiating Body (INB) for the Pandemic Agreement in Geneva. This involved meeting with the Article 19/20 Chair (the Ambassador for Brazil), the co-facilitators Canada and Malaysia, and 64 Member States. His research on zoonosis risk assessments and pandemic costs/financing was directly cited and used by the Article 19/20 Sub-Committee. Relatedly Garrett has collaborated with four NGOs to increase the presence of civil society within the Pandemic Agreement. A series of side workshops in Geneva were arranged during and around the INB negotiations. As estimated 35 countries attended these workshops.

Maša Mrovlje contributed to a podcast marking Women's History Month, organised by genderED, RACE.ED, CRITIQUE, and the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH) at Edinburgh. The podcast explores Luxemburg's life, political and intellectual activities, and asks what makes Luxemburg stand out as a theorist of social transformation.

In October 2021, Hope Bachmann co-organised a Theatre of Sanctuary panel discussion on what solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers in the arts should look like as part of the Platforma6 Festival.

In December 2020, academics, activists and engaged artists gathered to debate the possible strategies for reviving resistance today. The contributors discussed how an engagement with past disappointments, losses and defeats can help us creatively respond to the difficulties and failures of resistance – and inspire our imagination of political alternatives in the present.

The exhibition was open from 2 to 13 December 2020. It featured the work of the internationally acclaimed artist, designer and storyteller, Ganzeer. It depicted the events of the Egyptian revolution and its aftermath, focusing on the hopes engendered by the uprisings, the repression that followed and the sacrifices endured by the protesters.