The farmed apple in England is controlled by a set of food policies, made from quantitative, statistical research. This type of research often leaves out the details of everyday life, ignoring concerns from the community or farmers’ day to day experiences. Using art can reveal those perspectives, in turn giving the possibility of a more inclusive approach to food research. CULTIVATE: Art as Research, the panel discussion, is an opportunity to look at the apple, its stories and fruit policies surrounding it in a holistic way. It is co-organised by Food Research Collaboration (FRC), a research initiative established by the Centre for Food Policy at City, University of London, in 2014. FRC’s aim is to bring together academics and civil society organisations (CSOs) to facilitate more effective collaboration in influencing and improving UK food policy. Artists and curators from A is for Apple will be joining researchers from FRC to discuss the importance of using art as a tool for research. Resident artists from A is for Apple will be sharing their research processes at the farms and some of their results. Speakers from the FRC will look at the effect of Brexit on fruit farming and effective strategies in using art to engage communities and explore sustainability issues. The 2-hour panel discussion will be held at Northhampton Suite, University Building, City University of London on 18 October 2017 from 5pm – 7:30pm.

A is for Apple speakers include:
Gen Doy, resident artist working in Lathcoats Farm
Using sound as a way to document the memories, experiences and changes that can be found in a 3 generation family owned farm

Jamie Harper, resident artist working in Trumpington Community Orchard
Using facilitated Live Action Role Play workshops as an effective way to uncover systems that are set up within communities and orchards.

Lucy Steggals, resident artist working in National Fruit Collection
Looking at how using video, interview and text is useful to think about food, heritage and possible futures for the environment.

Alexandra Sazonova and Chloe Ting, project curators
Looking at apple farming through the arts and questioning whether it is a useful tool in involving people in food production and in thinking about the environment.

FRC speakers include:
Poppy Flint, educator and artist with experience working on sustainability issues in formal and non-formal education, and community settingsLooking at how to stimulate conversation and use practical, creative activities to strengthen values and habits aligned with more sustainable lifestyles.

Dr Victoria Schoen, Research Fellow at the Food Research Collaboration in the Centre for Food Policy at City, University of London
Looking at the effect of Brexit on fruit farming with a focus on trading issues, migrant workers and subsidies.

Bella Wheeler, Research Associate Social Work and Social Care at Sussex University
Looking at the use of art as a tool for research, effective strategies and how they have had a positive impact

Food Research Collaboration was established by the Centre for Food Policy at City, University of London, in 2014 with the aim of bringing together academics and civil society organisations (CSOs) to facilitate more effective collaboration to produce, share and use the evidence based knowledge needed to influence and improve UK food policy. They host a range of food-related events and publish briefing papers.

To reserve a seat, please register on our Eventbrite event.