Never in my professional or academic career has my field of study and work been more relevant than over the last seven months.
Continue reading “Covid 19: Participatory Action Research as Emergency Response”
In March 2020, as offices and teaching moved online, I left Scotland for my native country of Sweden and haven’t been back since. In my research, I’m looking at the social and economic effects of festivals in Paisley, Scotland. On-site events research is, unsurprisingly, not the best line of work right now.
Continue reading “A Postcard from Normality…”
A couple of weeks ago, in October, CCSE premiered the latest instalment of #CCSEConversations series. On this occasion, CCSE Director Professor Gayle McPherson spoke with Gitte Zschoch – Director of EUNIC the network of European Union National Institutes for Culture.
Given the UK Government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis you might expect an article about the COVID-19 circus to be another piece hammering the test and trace system or the confusing messaging.
Continue reading “A Glimpse of Normality. Notes from the Covid-19 Circus”
Nearly 6 months on from when our country was first put into ‘lockdown’, I reflect on working at Kibble throughout this unprecedented time; I’m left with a smile, a sense of nostalgia and an overwhelming feeling of togetherness!
Continue reading “Lockdown 2020 – A view from Kibble”
The 2020 festival would have been our 19th in a row! Our festival started as a small afternoon event and grew into a multi event 23-day festival. They say that timing is everything and for the 2020 festival that was a very true comment! The scope of the festival can be seen I the list of events.
Continue reading “Lochwinnoch Arts Festival 2020: The Festival That Never Really Was!”
This week I am doing a bit of reflection, today is my last day as a Research Associate at the Centre for Culture, Sport and Events as I am parting ways to take up a full time post at the University of Glasgow.
Continue reading “Farewell to CCSE: A Parting Reflection”
The Director of CCSE Professor Gayle McPherson and two members of the CCSE research team Dr Sandro Carnicelli and Dr Emma Reid from the School of Business and Creative Industries are the Scottish leads for a major new transnational project about live music experiences and you can help, by completing a simple short survey! We are seeking views from people in Scotland, England, Germany and New Zealand as part of the study.
Continue reading “Share your thoughts on live music experiences!”
Pre-covid time seems so distant and different now on reflection. Back in February, when I first met with the Renfrewshire Council Events team to discuss the role of creative producer for Sma’ Shot Day 2020, little did any of us consider that the all of the exciting plans and ideas for this year would have to be re-imagined so dramatically and suddenly.
Continue reading “SMA’ SHOT DAY 2020”
COVID-19 has hugely affected – and is still affecting – lives across the world. Isolation, economic shutdown and contact tracing have impacted our psychology, our daily routines and social activities.
Continue reading “Sport Diplomacy and The Pandemic of Racism: Addressing Issues on Athletic Activism & Protest”
In growing up in Paisley, it felt very easy to be ushered into a world of culture. Once, I remember being told by my Glaswegian grandfather that Paisley was “Glasgow’s artsy little sister” and in fairness, I think he may have had a point.
Continue reading “The Sporty Sister”
I have been reading ‘Funny Weather – art in an emergency’ by Olivia Laing (almost required reading for our times) and was struck by her use of the word ‘hospitality’ in the introduction, in relation to what artists do and can do for us.
Continue reading “Use or ornament? Finding a role and relevance for Learning during Lockdown”
A couple of months ago, colleagues from CCSE teamed up with collaborators from STAR Project and Renfrewshire Council to deliver a workshop as part of our UKRI supported, place-based partnership funded work looking at the impact of cultural regeneration on improving prosperity and wellbeing.
Continue reading “Paisley’s Art & Soul: A Short Film 🍿 📽️”
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe not taking place for the first time in its 73 year history was a huge professional and personal blow to the thousands of individuals and organisations who make up the festival.
Continue reading “The Impact of Lockdown: A View from the Fringe”
Being able to use public space is something we routinely take for granted. However, in recent months governments have actively sought to control and restrict access to, and use of, public space.
Continue reading “Commemorative events and the COVID-19 pandemic”
After our own recent experience of hosting a virtual conference, CCSE Director – Prof Gayle McPherson – spoke this week at the 7th Biennial Symposium on Cross-Sectoral Social Interactions.
Continue reading “CCSI 2020: 7th Biennial International Symposium on Cross-Sector Social Interactions”
The Carnegie UK Trust works to improve personal, community and societal wellbeing. Many of the issues that we work on, and the partners and groups who we work with, are deeply affected by the impact of the COVID-19 crisis.
Continue reading “From Community Empowerment to Community Power – what COVID-19 is teaching us about the relationship between citizens, communities and the state”
Our Colleague, Dr Stephen Collins’, short film ‘James Town & Slavery’ has been selected for the Changing the Story International Film Festival.
Continue reading “Short Film, James Town & Slavery”