The focus of this strand is to develop further initiatives aimed at EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) in the HRC. In particular, this strand has two aims: to enhance the sense of community of research students in the Arts and Humanities; and to develop cultural awareness and appreciation for the multicultural nature of the HRC community. Several initiatives are currently being developed:

Global Friends – A multicultural buddying scheme that pairs Home and International students. The aim of the scheme is twofold: to help new research students settle into their new life and studies at York; and to foster a culture of mutual respect and understanding. The scheme will be launched in September 2023.

Multilingualism – Acknowledge, appreciate and promote the wide variety of languages spoken by the members of the HRC community. We are privileged to have such a diverse community and we want to celebrate and reflect its multicultural and multilinguistic nature through activities and events that reflect and promote this diversity.

Global Café – A weekly space and time where everyone in the HRC can relax and socialise in a safe and welcoming environment. No pressure, no expectations, just drinks and chats after a hard day at work. Stay tuned!

A World of Welcome – A map of the world displaying all the languages spoken in the HRC, welcoming new and old members in their own language and inspiring others to learn about language diversity. 

Open Research is characterised by UKRI as the ways in which research is performed and shared on the principle that it should be as accessible as possible. Open Research provides transparency and accessibility, as well as opportunities for replicability for a wide range of research practices across disciplines. Moreover, it will be of increasing practical importance to researchers as measures of research performance and impact in the future apply openness of research as a contributing factor to impact assessments (e.g., REF). Certain open research practices, such as Open Access, are well-known, however, there are many more ways in which research processes and materials can be made open. The University's Open Research Skills Framework provides a tangible guide to engaging in open research, however, to Arts & Humanities researchers the applicability of this often feels limited. 

This strand of Creative Encounters, therefore, aims better understand and disseminate Open Research practices to Arts & Humanities researchers, by translating applicable practices and highlighting the strengths and affordances that come with proactive engagement with Open Research.

If you are interested in the content of this strand,  please feel free to email Noah Henry directly (noah.henry@york.ac.uk) to find out more.

This strand is made up of two programmes of work:

The Scholars’ Standard - will be a visual representation of research being conducted across the humanities departments of the University of York. Researchers are invited to contribute to a collaboratively-made textile-based work of art that will hang in the foyer of the Berrick Saul Building, where the HRC is housed. This part of the project will:

1. Create an object that will hang in the HRC foyer and be a visual representation of the breadth of research happening

2. Be a networking opportunity for researchers in the HRC, particularly PhDs and ECRs, to meet one another and forge cross-disciplinary bonds

3. Be a skill-sharing and skill-gaining activity, for members of the HRC community to learn about various forms of art making

4. Be an employment opportunity; the workshop leads will be from the student community

The Scholars' Standard is supported by the artistic expertise of the University of York student body. This work of art is being constructed with the support of:

Chenyu Gao

Franklin Whiteman

Megan Cameron

Melissa Biggs

Molly Fennelly

Shivangi Gangwar 

Verity Smith

Wangjia Zou

Research, Reflect, Response  - this programme of work brings seven local artists (listed below) into research meetings happening in Arts and Humanities departments. Led by an umbrella theme of ‘research for the public good’, these seven artists will create work in response to a touchpoint with their department. This part of the project will:

1. Create objects that will hang in the HRC foyer and be a visual representation of research happening across the HRC

2. Create relationships and knowledge exchange opportunities with local creative practitioners

3. Be an experiment in participatory and practice-based research

4. Be an employment opportunity for local artists

In partnership with:
Amy D'Agorne
BOXXHEAD
Jade Blood
Joanna Lisowiec
Katie Lewis
Lincoln Lightfoot
Rob Burton