Dr Mark Johnson is Reader in Anthropology at Goldsmiths, University of London

Dr Deirdre McKay is Reader in Geography and Environmental Politics, Keele University

1-3                       Workshop

Deploying curatorial methods in ethnographic research: lessons from Curating Development in Hong Kong, London and Manila

In this workshop, we will introduce our curatorial approach to engaged research. Using examples from community art-based work we have done with Filipino migrant domestic workers, we will outline the basics of a curatorial methodology. Then we will work through a hands-on exercise so you can experiment with ways you might adapt those methods in your own themes and projects.  We will identify the risks and benefits of the curatorial approach for data generation, review its ethical implications, and assess its potential impact delivery.

Participants are asked to bring some art supplies along: coloured paper and card, colour pens, scissors, markers, glue, etc.

3 – 3.15               Refreshment break

3.15-4.30            Seminar

Curating development: Filipino migrants’ investment in Philippine futures

Curating Development employs artistic interventions, curatorial research practice and public exhibitions to explore Filipino migrants’ aspirations for and contributions to development in the Philippines. Funded by the AHRC, we have examined the experiences of Filipinos living and working in Hong Kong and London. Our aims were to: (a) define how, when and under what conditions migrants can and do contribute to development in the Philippines (b) examine how community art, art collaboration, and curation can increase the benefits of their development contributions and enhance their welfare. We reflect critically on the methods we have developed and the outcomes of the arts-based events we sponsored. What more do we know about Filipino migrants’ investments? How does arts-based research contributed to raising awareness about and enhancing migrants’ welfare and material benefits in their host countries and ‘back home’? Our results engage two ongoing debates. Our findings shed new light on connections between labour migration and (under)development. Our methodology reveals how the blurring of UK AID and research budgets in the Global Challenges Research Fund shapes opportunities for scholars to make critical and creative interventions in development policy.

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