Interactive sensory objects developed for and by people with learning disabilities
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Reading
Department Name: Art
Abstract
"Hands-on exhibits bring a space to life, giving a greater understanding and meaning to cultural heritage. This is especially important for people with learning disabilities" (Lord Rix, 2005, President of Mencap).
The experience of handling artworks, as Lord Rix makes clear, enormously enhances our understanding of cultural heritage, and this is especially so for those with learning disabilities. For this social group, hands-on experience of cultural objects has in recent years become an important approach in promoting an understanding of cultural heritage as highlighted by the Access to Heritage Forum, and in response many museums and heritage sites have established 'handling collections'. Yet there are many drawbacks. The materials made accessible to those with learning disabilities as substitutes for the originals are usually chosen by the curators rather than determined by the user-group; many materials are deemed by curators too delicate to be handled by the user group; and in some heritage sites access to the objects is limited because of the complex nature of the site's environment, and their character is sometimes limited to pictures in books.
This project aims to address this problem in three ways. One is to create a series of interactive, multisensory objects that replicate or respond to artworks of other objects of cultural significance in our national collections. These artistic responses to existing artworks might include for example a replica that has a screen or speaker embedded in it which responds to light or movement, triggering a recording of an oral history, or a series of photos from the archives to appear on the screen, or perhaps a recreation of a physical experience - such as the vibration felt when ploughing a field or even the smell of wet straw. A second - especially innovative - is to employ people with learning disabilities as participant researchers in generating and designing these art objects, so that they cater for a wide and yet targeted range of needs. The third is to explore techniques for developing interactive sensory objects, focussing on iterative design through participant workshops, with a view to developing best practice guidelines which can provide a basis for future development and provide a lasting resource for museums and heritage sites to support them in engaging with user groups.
The project will consist of a series of workshops that are fundamentally experimental and exploratory in character. In each, the academic research team will work together with the participant researchers with learning disabilities to develop interactive art objects, and in so doing record their successes and failures. The academic researchers will use their own expertise as artists and technologists in guiding the exploration to allow it to achieve its creative and interactive potential. In particular the investigators will explore the potential of newly developed easy-to-use electronics in making the experience of members of the user-group more vital and meaningful. In planning the project the investigators have secured the collaboration of three different heritage collections, one national - The British Museum - and two regional - the National Trust House, Speke Hall, in Liverpool and the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) at the University of Reading.
The project is timely as "the heritage sector is waking up to the benefits of using technology in creative ways and making the usability as easy and intuitive as possible," (Heather J. L. Smith, Head of Access for All, The National Trust, 2009).
The experience of handling artworks, as Lord Rix makes clear, enormously enhances our understanding of cultural heritage, and this is especially so for those with learning disabilities. For this social group, hands-on experience of cultural objects has in recent years become an important approach in promoting an understanding of cultural heritage as highlighted by the Access to Heritage Forum, and in response many museums and heritage sites have established 'handling collections'. Yet there are many drawbacks. The materials made accessible to those with learning disabilities as substitutes for the originals are usually chosen by the curators rather than determined by the user-group; many materials are deemed by curators too delicate to be handled by the user group; and in some heritage sites access to the objects is limited because of the complex nature of the site's environment, and their character is sometimes limited to pictures in books.
This project aims to address this problem in three ways. One is to create a series of interactive, multisensory objects that replicate or respond to artworks of other objects of cultural significance in our national collections. These artistic responses to existing artworks might include for example a replica that has a screen or speaker embedded in it which responds to light or movement, triggering a recording of an oral history, or a series of photos from the archives to appear on the screen, or perhaps a recreation of a physical experience - such as the vibration felt when ploughing a field or even the smell of wet straw. A second - especially innovative - is to employ people with learning disabilities as participant researchers in generating and designing these art objects, so that they cater for a wide and yet targeted range of needs. The third is to explore techniques for developing interactive sensory objects, focussing on iterative design through participant workshops, with a view to developing best practice guidelines which can provide a basis for future development and provide a lasting resource for museums and heritage sites to support them in engaging with user groups.
The project will consist of a series of workshops that are fundamentally experimental and exploratory in character. In each, the academic research team will work together with the participant researchers with learning disabilities to develop interactive art objects, and in so doing record their successes and failures. The academic researchers will use their own expertise as artists and technologists in guiding the exploration to allow it to achieve its creative and interactive potential. In particular the investigators will explore the potential of newly developed easy-to-use electronics in making the experience of members of the user-group more vital and meaningful. In planning the project the investigators have secured the collaboration of three different heritage collections, one national - The British Museum - and two regional - the National Trust House, Speke Hall, in Liverpool and the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) at the University of Reading.
The project is timely as "the heritage sector is waking up to the benefits of using technology in creative ways and making the usability as easy and intuitive as possible," (Heather J. L. Smith, Head of Access for All, The National Trust, 2009).
Planned Impact
This research promotes greater access to museum and heritage collections for people with learning disabilities. The key beneficiaries include people with learning disabilities, heritage sites and their visitors.
People with learning disabilities, in particular the members of the Access to Heritage Forum, The Tower Group London and user groups local to Museum of English Rural Life, Reading, will be engaged in the project as participant researchers, active members of the research process. They will take part in the design prototyping of the sensory interface objects, acting as experts and consultants in their disability. Through the inclusive design methodology of the workshops, the groups are encouraged to experiment, tryout and feedback their own opinions, rather than passively receiving what researchers think they need to access heritage, which was a negative experience voiced by some members of the Access to Heritage Forum. This opportunity to be a researcher for accessibility provision can be an empowering experience for a group whose opinion can often be overlooked or misrepresented.
In addition to the participant researchers, a wider group of people with disabilities will also benefit from better access to museum collections. For example wheelchair users will have new ways to access objects that are currently inaccessible to them, as is the case at Speke Hall where, due to listed building regulations, installation of lifts is not possible. The project will support visitors to make their own connections between how they live now and their relation to the past and the future. This ability to experience objects physically triggering media in museums and heritage sites, where you are often not allowed to touch the objects in the collection, presents exciting new opportunities for visitors.
Museums and heritage sites both nationally and internationally will be able to improve the visitor experience; the project will generate ideas for displays with heightened sensory interaction and good accessibility. Educators and designers of museums and heritage sites will be able to consult case studies from each museum to support them in adopting good practice in running inclusive workshops and providing accessible heritage displays in their own sites.
The sites will also benefit from guidance on alternative ways to engage people with learning disabilities acting as consultants, which will help them gain a real understanding of the needs of this group of visitors. This should help museums and heritage sites improve their service provision for people with learning disabilities, with the potential to influence policies on widening participation, for example in documents such as The Museums, Libraries and Archive Council's 'Outcomes Framework'. The three sites that are directly involved in this project will benefit from the new handling collections developed during the project, which will be left at the sites so that they are available to museum visitors after the project has ended.
People with learning disabilities, in particular the members of the Access to Heritage Forum, The Tower Group London and user groups local to Museum of English Rural Life, Reading, will be engaged in the project as participant researchers, active members of the research process. They will take part in the design prototyping of the sensory interface objects, acting as experts and consultants in their disability. Through the inclusive design methodology of the workshops, the groups are encouraged to experiment, tryout and feedback their own opinions, rather than passively receiving what researchers think they need to access heritage, which was a negative experience voiced by some members of the Access to Heritage Forum. This opportunity to be a researcher for accessibility provision can be an empowering experience for a group whose opinion can often be overlooked or misrepresented.
In addition to the participant researchers, a wider group of people with disabilities will also benefit from better access to museum collections. For example wheelchair users will have new ways to access objects that are currently inaccessible to them, as is the case at Speke Hall where, due to listed building regulations, installation of lifts is not possible. The project will support visitors to make their own connections between how they live now and their relation to the past and the future. This ability to experience objects physically triggering media in museums and heritage sites, where you are often not allowed to touch the objects in the collection, presents exciting new opportunities for visitors.
Museums and heritage sites both nationally and internationally will be able to improve the visitor experience; the project will generate ideas for displays with heightened sensory interaction and good accessibility. Educators and designers of museums and heritage sites will be able to consult case studies from each museum to support them in adopting good practice in running inclusive workshops and providing accessible heritage displays in their own sites.
The sites will also benefit from guidance on alternative ways to engage people with learning disabilities acting as consultants, which will help them gain a real understanding of the needs of this group of visitors. This should help museums and heritage sites improve their service provision for people with learning disabilities, with the potential to influence policies on widening participation, for example in documents such as The Museums, Libraries and Archive Council's 'Outcomes Framework'. The three sites that are directly involved in this project will benefit from the new handling collections developed during the project, which will be left at the sites so that they are available to museum visitors after the project has ended.
Publications
Allen, K
(2013)
Interactive sensory objects for improving access to heritage
in CHI EA '13 CHI '13 Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems, 27 Apr - 2 May 2013
Allen, K
(2014)
Interactive Sensory Objects Developed for and by People with Learning Disabilities
in GEM Case Studies
Dr. Nic Hollinworth
(2016)
The International Journal of the Inclusive Museum,
Hollinworth N
(2014)
Interactive sensory objects for and by people with learning disabilities
in ACM SIGACCESS Accessibility and Computing
Hollinworth N
(2012)
Interactive Sensory Objects Developed for and by People with Learning Disabilities
Hollinworth, N
(2014)
littleBits go LARGE: making electronics more accessible to people with learning disabilities
in Proceedings of the 16th international ACM SIGACCESS conference on Computers & accessibility (ASSETS '14). ACM, New York, NY, USA
Hollinworth, N
(2014)
littleBits go LARGE: Making electronics more accessible to people with learning disabilities
in CHI '14 Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI EA '14). ACM, New York, NY, USA
N. Hollinworth
(2012)
Interactive Sensory Objects for Access to Heritage
in Proceedings of BCS HCI 2012 - People and Computers XXVI
| Title | "London is the Place for Me" Sensory experience of the Museum of London's Oral History Archive in the Talking Point Gallery |
| Description | Display of sensory materials inspired by the Museum of London's Oral History Archive, including videos a 360 experience, an interactive screen to try on hats, smells and photographs. |
| Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | The display London is the Place for Me was installed in Sept 2021 and was extended till Jan 30th 2022 lead to further research into using smell in the exhibition display. |
| URL | https://purplestars.org.uk/2021/02/15/museum-of-london/ |
| Title | Access All Areas MadHouse PopUp Exhibit at Shoreditch Town Hall |
| Description | An interactive and accessible exhibition exploring the institutionalisation of people with learning disabilities, part of the exhibition created for Hackney Museum 2017 accompanied Access All Areas immersive theatre piece at Shoreditch Town Hall in March 2018 |
| Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Impact | At the Madhouse symposium Shoreditch Town Hall on March19th 2018 there was a report on the impact of the original Hackney Museum MadHouse 2017 exhibition carried out by Dr Jan Walmsley from the Open University, with Access All Areas Residents Paul and Zara. According to the report 8104 people attended the exhibition at Hackney Museum in 2017 this figure excluded teachers and primary schools. 175 people took part in a visitor survey, 12% identified as having a disability, 35% had a learning disability, reported stated that the exhibition was effective highlighting a little known history. |
| URL | https://youtu.be/ynE6g3E34d8 |
| Title | Art & Science Arts Award Box for Orleans House Museum |
| Description | In Spring/ Summer 2016 Transitions Art Group and Octagon Cub received funding from the Wellcome Trust to run from the Outside in: an art and science project for young people and adults with learning disabilities and additional needs. It is an interdisciplinary collaboration between artists and scientists, who will work together on four creative projects, each exploring a different theme of biomedical science through art. Sensory Objects have taken these artworks as a starting point to create a set of objects to inspire children when taking part in Discover Arts Awards |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Impact | The set of objects is currently being developed and trialled in Primary Schools and developing ideas for further Arts Award Boxes |
| Title | ArtLab University of Reading |
| Description | ArtLab developed from the Sensory Objects Project with Tina O'Connell from the University of Reading and is concerned with how we make the most of young peoples future's, by bringing a wide range of children from across different social backgrounds to Art. |
| Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
| Year Produced | 2015 |
| Impact | Children's Christmas Lecture 2016 with ArtLab Tuesday 13 December, 4.30pm - Palmer Building, Whiteknights campus The ArtLab team worked with hundreds of children and 'grown ups' at the University's Christmas Lecture. An intrepid and lively audience, embarked on an awesome artistic adventure using each and everyone of their senses! They ate aromatic oranges whilst sketching on an undersea voyage, traveled through time to witness and to create ancient works of art in clay, saw the history of photography develop before their eyes and even digitally 'shot' the Vice-Chancellor in order to 3D print him! It was a chance to share the unique and innovative approaches of creative inclusion and education at ArtLab. It showcased the teams research and how they are enabling widening participation in the arts using and applying technology. |
| URL | https://readingartlab.com/2016/12/20/childrens-christmas-lecture-2016-artlab/ |
| Title | MERL Sensory Interactives |
| Description | purpleSTARS working with Reading College LLD/D dept have designed three sensory interactives funded by the Earley Charity. 1) A Virtual Reality Forest in collaboration with Dutch design company SHOSHO. 2) A Virtual Reality Quad Bike shepherd experience under production by purpleSTARS. 3) Horse and Sheep sound sensors underproduction by purpleSTARS |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Impact | Idea for Virtual Four Season Forest generated collaboration with Dutch Design company SHOSHO. Virtual quad bike experience for MERL led to purpleSTARS now in developing VR for Quad Bike experience and hardware for wheelchair users. |
| URL | https://purplestars.org.uk/2017/03/01/featured-content-2/ |
| Title | Madhouse, My House? an interactive exhibition at Hackney Museum |
| Description | Sensory Objects have been collaborating with Access All Areas is an award winning theatre company for adults with learning disabilities based in Hackney, London. We have created an interactive exhibition Madhouse, My House? at Hackney Museum London this Thursday 2nd February 2017 - May 13th 2017 . Access All Areas Residents Group researched and developed the exhibition with Sensory Objects who created the interactive artworks in response to their research. |
| Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Impact | This interactive exhibition was researched and created by members of Access All Areas, a Hackney-based theatre company that works with people with learning disabilities working with Sensory Objects. The exhibition is called 'MADHOUSE myhouse?' it is part of a 3 year digital creative learning programme that accompanies the 'MADHOUSE re:exit' production by Access All Areas' Performance Company. The project explores the history of institutionalisation of people with learning disabilities. From long stay hospitals in 1913 right through to current treatment units. |
| URL | http://sensoryobject.wpengine.com/?p=3770 |
| Title | Sensory Cow for the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) |
| Description | Sensory Objects and their co-researchers, students from Reading College LLD/D dept developed an Interactive Sensory Cow for The Museum of English Rural Life MERL. The idea of the cow is to be used during workshops to explore cows in alternative ways. The cow was commissioned by the Reading Arts Committee and the CLA Charitable Trust . |
| Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
| Year Produced | 2016 |
| Impact | In response to the sensory objects developed during the AHRC Sensory Objects project, working with Reading College LLD/D students at MERL during 2013-14, the need for interactive exhibits and farm animals was highlighted. Earlier prototypes developed resulted in the idea of creating an Interactive Sensory Cow for MERL as part of the major re-hang of the collection. Reading College LLD/D group showcased the cow at MERL's Grand Opening Night October 22nd. The group practiced over the last few weeks showing visitors how to record their own "MOO". The MERL Sensory Cow is also featuring as part of MERL Lates MILKING IT as part of BRITISH SCIENCE WEEK 16.03.17 from 7-10pm |
| URL | http://sensoryobject.wpengine.com/?p=3672 |
| Title | TATE EXCHANGE Pop Up Sensory Museum |
| Description | Public invited to add an item to the purpleSTARS pop up sensory museum and create a sensory label all about it! purpleSTARS - The installation was based on Ilya and Emilia Kabakov work The man who never throw anything away. |
| Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Impact | Students from Reading College Learners with Difficulties and Disabilities Dept came to the TATE London for first ever visit. We have interest to create pop ups at Hackney Museum and St Pauls Cathedral. purpleSTARS did the first 10 talk in a paying exhibition at MERL. |
| URL | http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/tate-exchange/workshop/reading-assembly |
| Title | purpleSTARS Participatory Research Bid: Inclusive museums employing the sense of smell. University of Reading, Research England Participatory Research |
| Description | Collaborative research project between RIX Research and Media and the Museum of London (MoL) and Museum Scent Specialist Liam Findlay at Aroma Prime https://aromaprime.com/ One of the challenges we have noted from feedback from our exhibition 'London is the Place for me' at the Museum of London is that our work to include the sense of smell as a key part of a multi-sensory visitor experience, has not been as effective as we had hoped. We recognise how powerful and immersive the use of smell can be as part of experiencing history and triggering memories. The presence of smells in the installation was not as strong as we intended and so less impactful, compared to our use of objects, sounds and participatory technology. In our early purpleSTARS work in 2018, as part of the AHRC Sensory Objects project in the British Museum, we created boxes with sliding smell chambers to contain smells that were separated from the objects on display, and this seems to have been more successful. We would like to re-visit similar more focussed ways to provide smells as part of a sensory display in our proposed Participatory Research project. We wish to explore this by prototyping alternative smell experiences and trialling different practical approaches to observe and measure their affect and viability as museum display solutions. Our research will engage the curatorial team at Museum of London and Liam Finlay, Aroma Prime consultant and Museum Scent specialist, working alongside the purpleSTARS and participants with different abilities. Aroma Prime are the leading scent marketing and experience company in the UK. |
| Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | Too early to say be we have been exploring methods of transmitting smell with the Aroma Prime company through participatory research workshops. |
| URL | https://purplestars.org.uk/2021/02/15/museum-of-london/ |
| Description | The Sensory Objects research project has developed innovative strategies to enable access to, and enhance the experience of, museum and heritage sites for and by adults with learning difficulties and disabilities (LD/D). The importance of this research was the collaboration of people with and without LD/D as co-researchers, experts and consultants in their experience, during a series of on-site museum hands-on art and technology workshops, to produce interactive sensory objects, that activate museum collections as an alternative to conventional interpretation for all visitors. |
| Exploitation Route | The Sensory Objects research project aimed to leave a set of objects at each museum to improve their accessibility, but we learnt through the project that the most valuable and influential resource that we brought into this sector through our approach was the proactive interaction of people with learning disabilities with museum professionals and the public in creative and reflective co-production activity. The sensory objects we constructed served as tools for engagement.The multisensory and multimedia production processes we applied to the design, development, refinement and dissemination of Sensory Objects provided opportunities for cultural sites that were groundbreaking. The genuinely inclusive nature of the project teams, the workshop design and focus-group models that they demonstrated and the calibre of the intellectual dialogue that they afforded for Museum and Archive sites proved to be transformational. We have compiled a sensory activity book to suggest sensory expeditions to museums and are now turning this into an easy to use Wiki webpage developed by RIX research and media at UEL. In 2017 we were awarded a one year follow on funding grant from the AHRC for the Sensory Objects Enterprise to provide sustainable opportunities for people with learning disabilities in museums and heritage sites working with Partners JET Jobs Employment and Training an accessible job agency part of the Tower Project London. We have set up purpleSTARS.org.uk bringing together artists and technologists with and without learning difficulties/disabilities to transform museum experiences and make them really inclusive. We use sensory and digital media to create alternative interpretations of museum collections. Since June 2017 purpleSTARS have been invited to be part of the Wolfson Advisory Panel at the British Museum, Awarded funding from the Earley Charity to create new interactive exhibits for MERL creating VR exhibit working in collaboration with dutch design company SHOSHO. We created a pop up museum event for TATE EXCHANGE as part of Reading Assembly. We have created a work experience position at MERL with Reading College and have two work placements at the Ragged School in London and in 2021 we are developing an exhibition for the Talking Point Gallery at the Museum of London towards more inclusive experiences for the new Museum of London when it moves to Smithfield's in 2024. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Electronics,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| URL | http://www.sensoryobjects.com |
| Description | The sensory objects research project developed into purpleSTARS with an approach to inclusive design is transformative because it applies the self-advocacy maxim of 'Nothing About Us Without Us' by actively engaging and valuing people with ID as experts at the heart of the processes that shape our cultural institutions. The technical tools and methods we use scaffold the active engagement of a wide team of people with and without intellectual disabilities. As such this work disrupts established understanding of inclusive design as a set of adjustments, proposing in its place a model of inclusivity gained through practice, that interprets the often-cited 'public ownership' of our museums in a challenging way. We promote inclusive public culture by actively engaging disabled people as researchers, curators and creative producers, with a method that enshrines the definition of inclusive research proposed by Walmesley and Johnson: Inclusive Research is research in which people with learning disabilities are active participants, not only as subjects but also as initiators, doers, writers and disseminators of research. (Walmsley and Johnson 2003) Our model of inclusive R&D draws from both contemporary art & media practice and participatory action-research, using technologies for media authoring and the creation of interactive sensory objects to enable people with ID to fully participate. The purpleSTARS bring user-centred mixed-ability teams into public culture and heritage spaces to explore and trial installations, reflect and then produce their own objects and interactions in response, through a personal, critical and creative practice. The result is the development of innovative visitor experiences, led and co-created by people with ID to make museums and heritage sites more diverse and inclusive, as disabled people re-interpret what is on offer and affirm their shared ownership of these public amenities. The wider potential impact of a purpleSTARS intervention is upon the culture of the museum or heritage site, as the active and integrated presence of people with ID collaborating with its teams within the fabric of the museum, prompts a reinterpretation of the site's outreach strategies as well as the design and curation of its installation, asking significant questions about how the institution engages with its public and interprets the mission to widen engagement. purpleSTARS have been invited to create and test interpretation for the oral history archive in the Museum of London's Talking Point Gallery, developing inclusivw interpretation ideas towards the new Museum of London when it opens in Smithfield's in 2024. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2016 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Communities and Social Services/Policy,Education,Electronics,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections,Other |
| Impact Types | Cultural |
| Description | Disability Cooperative Network Case Study |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| URL | http://www.musedcn.org.uk/category/casestudies/ |
| Description | Museum Education Monitor |
| Geographic Reach | North America |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| URL | http://www.mccastle.com/UserData/MEM_APRIL_2013.pdf |
| Description | Earley Charity Arts and Heritage |
| Amount | £10,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Earley Charity |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2018 |
| End | 07/2018 |
| Description | Follow-on Funding Impact & Engagement: Sensory Objects Enterprise - Co-Development and Start Up project |
| Amount | £100,764 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | AH/P007430/1 |
| Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2017 |
| End | 05/2018 |
| Description | JET |
| Organisation | London Borough of Tower Hamlets |
| Department | JET at the Tower |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The sensory objects enterprise purpleSTARS bring the research of the Sensory Objects project tools for engagement, multisensory and multimedia production processes we apply to the design, development, refinement and dissemination in museums. purpleSTARS bring genuinely inclusive project teams or artists, technologist, archivists with and without disabilities to engage in Sensory Expeditions, consultancy and focus group. Our business aim and impact objective is to bring these innovative methods and fresh perspectives to all UK Museums. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Out partner JET is contributing JET premises and ICT resources, staff input for coordination and support, apprentices wages and administration. We are recieveing expert advice to co-develop employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities as part of a training and consultancy service that can help Museums and Heritage Sites to realise more accessible and meaningful experiences for their visitors with learning disabilities. |
| Impact | Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) Earley Charity Consultancy Creating new interactive exhibits |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | #purpleLightUp International Day of Persons with Disabilities British Museum 3rd Dec 2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | As part of the Wolfson Advisory Group purpleSTARS contributed to and facilitated a series of events for International Day of Persons with Disabilities. purpleSTARS were invited to share their Sensory Labels made in response to the Enlightenment Gallery which led to a greater awareness and discussion for purpleSTARS on social media regarding inclusive practice and engagement with other museums. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/events_calendar/event_detail.aspx?eventId=4950&title |
| Description | 'Objects, materials and people' Archeology at University of Reading research cluster workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Dr Duncan Garrow Associate Professor of Archaeology Department University of Reading invited me to present Sensory Objects Research to a research cluster meeting in Archeology 'Sensory Objects' - Dr Kate Allen (Art) 'Analytical Chemistry in the Identification of Archaeologically-Significant Objects' - Prof Matthew Almond (Inorganic and Materials Chemistry) 'Thinking about Things: People and Objects at the Museum of English Rural Life' - Dr Ollie Douglas (MERL) 'Creating and Encountering Objects in Virtual Spaces' - Dr Ian Ewart (Construction Management and Engineering) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://www.reading.ac.uk/archaeology/research/arch-OMP.aspx |
| Description | 'Pride of Place' purpleSTARS sensory response to Roots, Rhythms and Records Exhibition Hackney Museum |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The purpleSTARS team have produced Pride of Place a multi-sensory re-interpretation of the Roots, Rhythms and Records exhibition at the Hackney Museum, working with other adults with learning disabilities and inclusive schools across Hackney and developing their own music, poetry and arts materials. At the events the team will present their project and share the intensive process of research, development and co-development that they have undertaken over recent months. Additionally, they have prepared installation and performance pieces and have even commissioned a tasting session of African and Caribbean food as part of their immersive way of re-working Museum displays and visitor experiences to make them more inclusive. The first presentation of Pride of Place is on Wednesday 13th March between 5.30 and 7.30pm The second presentation on Saturday 16th March - which is a special event for UK Disabled Access Day - between 2.00 and 4.00pm. The project team will subsequently be developing a resource package for the Hackney Museum's Educational programme, which they will deliver as an outreach workshop package led by people with learning disabilities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://purplestars.org.uk/2019/02/01/purplestars-at-hackney-museum |
| Description | 'Sandpit Workshop' of the AHRC Living Archive for Learning Disability History Project |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
| Results and Impact | The Sandpit day was organised to combine showcasing of work with and by people with Learning Disabilities with interactive demonstrations and activities designed to get discussion and debate going about what a Living Archive of Learning Disability History should be like. From the Sandpit day we learnt about the importance of creating an archive of Learning Disability History. Of importance to the Sensory Objects project was the desire by people in discussion that the physical quality of the Living Archive needs to be preserved. People were keen that the archive took various forms so that it would be accessible for everyone, from a digital archive to some kind of physical sensory archive. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.sensoryobjects.com/?p=3042 |
| Description | 'purpleSTARS invited to be part of judging panel for 'Art for Research Reading' raising money of Cancer Research |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | purpleSTARS first employee Judith from the Tower Project and Kate, joined illustrator Garry Parsons and Independent curator, Art historian and Broadcaster Kathleen Soriano to judge children's artwork for a new competition which aims to raise money for Cancer Research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.artforresearchreading.com/pages/judges.html |
| Description | Being Human Festival, Animal Magic: Silent Disco for MERL Late |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | purpleSTARS developed a playlist with links for the MERL Late Animal Magic Silent Disco. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://beinghumanfestival.org/event/animal-magic-a-merl-late/ |
| Description | Buckets, Baskets and Boots at Museum of English Rural Life MERL |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Co-researchers from Reading College Learners with Learning Difficulties and Disabilities LLD/D Department sensory objects created for MERL proved very popular. A video showing Rumenas chicken working has received over 3000 hits Reading College staff spoke of how engaged how group felt ownership the project work |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N212DCk48U |
| Description | Connecting, collaborating, and caring for each other during lockdown 2020-2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The purpleSTARS, are a group of people with and without learning difficulties, who aim to make museum experiences more inclusive through sensory art and digital media. The Pandemic led to purpleSTARS experimenting with connecting, collaborating, and documenting lives online. In the first lockdown we connected with a group from the Wager Center in Montréal Canada who, inspired by purpleSTARS, have formed their own group Fabulous Stars. We met each other online, creating artwork, discussing food and music as a way of sharing our experiences of life during lockdown. We captured these experiences in the form of a digital time capsule, the Lock Stars RIX Wiki an easy-to-use webpage. In the second lockdown purpleSTARS were invited to join the Listening to London project, a community-led research project making space for new interpretations of the Oral History collection at the Museum of London. The project is supported by The Esmé Fairbairn Collections Fund - delivered by the Museums Association. Meeting online we have listened and talked about the oral history recordings and are currently developing ideas for an exhibition, London is the place for me, in the Talking Point Gallery at the Museum of London. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://sitesb.reading.ac.uk/reading-assembly-care/lockstars-2020-21/ |
| Description | Digital Interpretations Leverhulme AIR/BTG University of Birmingham |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | Discussions with other researcher problems of engagement and interactivity Discussion with other researchers, found out about 3Dprinting |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| URL | http://btg.bham.ac.uk/events/workshops/air/ |
| Description | Disability History Conference London Metropolitan Archive |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | purpleSTARS team led the conference delegates in creating personal and reflective material in accessible digital and multimedia formats to demonstrate the inclusive ways of working with history and culture that the purpleSTARS have been pioneering. The conference led to the discussion and development of a collaboration towards a future Heritage Lottery Fund Bid. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/london-metropolitan-archives/news-events/Pages/disabili... |
| Description | Diversity in Heritage Group Meeting London 30.10.14 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | We co-presented our research to museum curators and educators from museums in London with co-researchers with Judith and Tim who have learning disabilities representing the Tower Project with their support worker. We then hosted a the hands on workshop as part of the session, we had a lively question and answer session and the audience were interested in finding out more. Some later went on to attend the next Sensory Objects seminar at the British Museum. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.sensoryobjects.com/?p=2882 |
| Description | Inclusive Museums Conference at the Autry Museum in Los Angeles. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A presentation of the Sensory Objects project to the Inclusive Museums Conference at the Autry Museum in Los Angeles. Including Sensory Objects developed by our Co-researchers from Reading College at MERL and also the Access to Heritage Group in Liverpool. We met people from all over the world who were interested in our project. As well as a presentation we gave a workshop explaining our ideas of using Squishy Circuits, littleBits and our research with littleBits go LARGE. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.sensoryobjects.com/?p=2459 |
| Description | MERL Digital Late purpleSTARS demo Virtual Reality Four Seasons Forest |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Shared the Virtual Reality work for the Museum of English Rural Life, VR Four Seasons Forest developed by purpleSTARS with Dutch design company Shosho. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://merl.reading.ac.uk/event/digital-takeover-merl-late/ |
| Description | MILKING IT part of a MERL late for British Science Week on Thursday 16th March 7.00-10.00pm |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | MERL Sensory Cow developed by Sensory Object co-researchers from Reading College Learners with learning difficulties and or disabilities dept is one of the attractions at the evening part of MERL's Lates series. A lively evening of food drink, music, activities and presentations inspired by the MERL dairying Collections. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.reading.ac.uk/themerl/whats-on/themerl-lates-milkingit.aspx |
| Description | NCCPE ENGAGE 2014&2015 Bristol |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Judith Appiah and Tim Elson co-presented Sensory Objects research and we gave a hands workshop session of sensory engagement tools. During the presentation we received great feedback on twitter from conference delegates. Sensory Objects were also runners up in the ENGAGE competition Award 2014 http://www.publicengagement.ac.uk/case-studies/interactive-sensory-objects-and-people-with-learning-disabilities In 2015 we were invited to present a Poster to the conference. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2015 |
| URL | http://www.sensoryobjects.com/?p=2964 |
| Description | Presentation for Creative Bridges SEN Conference, Coventry Museum of Transport |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | purpleSTARS first employee Judith from the Tower Project presented purpleSTARS work including her Sensory Label for the British Museum and Virtual Reality Quad Bike Experience for the Museum of English Rural Life to the Creative Bridges SEN Conference at Coventry Transport Museum on 6th December 2019. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.towerproject.org.uk/posts/23-creative-bridges-sen-conference |
| Description | Presentation to Penny Mordaunt MP |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Penny Mordaunt, Minister for Disabled People, Work and Health visited the University of Reading in an event organised by the Breaking down Barriers scheme . As part of her visit, the Minister experimented with a number of projects contributing to a more inclusive world and simulation tools exploring the everyday challenges people face in relation to a range of disabilities and conditions. "Inclusivity and accessibility should be at the forefront of good design, and I'm delighted to see the University of Reading leading the way with their Breaking down Barriers scheme ," said Mordaunt. Penny met Sensory Objects Co-researchers from Reading Mencap Coffee club who demonstrated artworks from the Sensory Objects Project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | http://sensoryobject.wpengine.com/?p=3839 |
| Description | Re-thinking Inclusivity Seminar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | 12TH OCT 2018 Edinburgh Napier Seminar "Re-thinking Inclusivity in the Museum Friday 12 October 12-2pm, Dovecot Gallery discussion about public engagement, re-curation and museum communities. PurpleSTARS is a landmark research project that aims to re-think the sensory potential of museum design and curation. Through her research Dr Kate Allen (University of Reading) develops opportunities for people with learning difficulties to work as artists and technologists. Revising the traditional culture of museum curation Kate explores the potential of technology to widen access through new approaches to collections and sensory experience. Kate is joined by Sensory Objects PurpleSTARS BBO employee Judith Appiah." |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.beltanenetwork.org/news-blogs-reports/beltane-news/engaging-public-seminar-series-during... |
| Description | Royal Berkshire County Show |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Visitors to this year's (2019) Berkshire Show were treated to a sensory experience on the University of Reading stand, including a ride on the purpleSTARS virtual reality quad bike. The University of Reading put on an award-winning experience based around the theme of the five senses, which showcased its breadth of subjects and research including food science, sustainable farming, psychology and botany. Attendees were able to experience a virtual reality quad-bike ride as part of its centrepiece, which scooped the University the runner up position in Best Large Trade Stand category for the Berkshire Show. The unique quad bike experience helped to show visitors about the need for accessible exhibitions in museums put on by purpleSTARS based in the School of Art and Communication Design. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://purplestars.org.uk/2017/03/01/featured-content-2/ |
| Description | Sensory Interactives for the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | purpleSTARS worked for 3 months with Reading College Learners with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities Dept to design new interactive sensory objects for MERL. On 08.12.18 purpleSTARS and Reading College LLD/D presented three ideas to MERL Director, Curators, funders and public engagement staff. All three ideas were accepted and purpleSTARS are building two ideas and collaborating with Dutch designers SHOSHO to create the third. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://purplestars.org.uk/2017/03/01/featured-content-2/ |
| Description | Sensory Objects Seminar at The British Museum |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Sensory Objects Seminar at the British Museum 65 museum curators, education workers, charities and carers attended co-presented talks about the Sensory Objects Project. From this we were invited to participate in other conferences and to work with other museums |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | http://www.sensoryobjects.com/?p=3263 |
| Description | Sensory Objects Showcase at The British Museum |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Our Co-researchers from the Tower Project enthusiastically and confidently presented their Sensory Labels to the public. Each Sensory Label was created as an alternative piece of interpretation for an object in the Enlightenment Gallery chosen by our co-researchers from the Tower Project thinking about sensory information. As a result of the success of this day we were invited back to show them during half term. People wanted to come to our Seminar and wanted us to come to their schools to hold workshops etc. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | http://www.sensoryobjects.com/?p=3149 |
| Description | Sensory Objects presented at the DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE UNIVERSITY MUSEUMS GROUP (UMG) ANNUAL CONFERENCE DIGITAL DIMENSIONS, Wickham Theatre, University of Bristol |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Shared Sensory Objects research with Museum Professionals Interest in research by other museums |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://universitymuseumsgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Digital-Showcase-participants.pdf |
| Description | Sensory Objects presented our research at Universities Week Late at the Natural History Museum London an action-packed evening to explore how research impacts everyday lives. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Demonstration of interactive objects and workshop tools at the Natural History Museum Led to discussions with researchers from other institutions |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.publicengagement.ac.uk/case-studies/interactive-sensory-objects-and-people-with-learning-... |
| Description | Sensory Palaces |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Developed and advised Historic Royal Palaces with the Sensory Palaces workshop programme which engaged people with learning disabilities through sensory activities at the Tower of London Protect and Decorate workshop and Kensington Palace Rules and Escapes workshop. Mencap groups wanted more similar workshops and said they would use the ideas form Rules and Escapes workshops back at their day centre. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.richmond.gov.uk/daa_sensory_programme_royal_historic_palaces.pdf |
| Description | Sensory Palaces |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I have developed a set of Sensory workshops to explore Hampton Court for people living with Dementia. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016,2017 |
| URL | http://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/learning/adults/sensory-palaces/#gs.KHCnrV0 |
| Description | Sensory Stories Event National Trust Speke Hall Liverpool |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Encouraged more sensory materials in Speke Hall Liverpool created engagement oportunities for people with disabilities Co-researchers from the Access to Heritage group featured in Liverpool echo, Speke Hall engagement officer in video interview keen offer similar sensory workshops |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://www.sensoryobjects.com/?p=1136 |
| Description | Sensory Stories Retold Seminar Museum of Liverpool |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The seminar shared our research with curators, academics, carers and charities Positive feedback from delegates met new collaborators for future research |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://www.sensoryobjects.com/?p=1243 |
| Description | Sensory Stories in Progress Seminar at the Institute of Education Reading |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Part of Universities Week, engaged many from Reading College and Co-researchers from Liverpool In two presentations to the seminar Head of Reading College LLD/D Phil Lucas and Director of MERL expressed how the research would alter their approach to sensory materials, workshops, project work and the rehang of MERL |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.sensoryobjects.com/?p=2224 |
| Description | TATE 10 min TALK |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | purpleSTARS Judith and Rufaro gave the first ever 10 Minute Talk in a paying exhibition in front of the the Kabakov exhibition at TATE MODERN 'The man who never throw anything away' telling about the connections between purpleSTARS ideas for their popup museum for Tate Exchange and the Kabakov exhibition. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
| URL | http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/tate-exchange/workshop/reading-assembly |
| Description | TATE EXCHANGE Pop Up Sensory Museum |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | As part of TATE EXCHANGE Reading Assembly, purpleSTARS invited the public to create and curate a pop up sensory museum. The work was based on an earlier pop up museum that was made as part of the Sensory Objects Research project. The purpleSTARS also invited the class from Reading College LLD/D to participate the class had never had gallery trip to London. Their teacher Jess Sanchia wrote "Thank YOU so much for inviting us. We had an amazing time - the whole day was the most rewarding I've ever had the fortune to be part of at college." We were also had interest to create a pop up museum at Hackney Museum and from St Pauls Cathedral. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/tate-exchange/workshop/reading-assembly |
| Description | THE MERL'S MAKING SENse Celebration Event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | purpleSTARS, artists and technologists with and without learning difficulties/disabilities have transformed The MERL experience to make it really inclusive. Generously funded by the Earley Charity, the purpleSTARS have created fabulous new interactives and invite you to: • tighten your seat belt, become a shepherd and experience our virtual reality Quad Bike • meet our baa-ing sheep and neighing wicker horse, and • relax to the beautifully immersive English Forest through four seasons. While you are here why not also try The MERL's new 'Make Sense' trails made in partnership with students of Reading College's LLD/D department, enjoy our 'Please Touch!' Object Handling session, try out a bit of craft to take home or even just explore the museum and its garden at your leisure. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://merl.reading.ac.uk/event/merl-making-sense/ |
| Description | Visitor Studies Group Meeting, Whitworth Gallery Manchester |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Tim Elson Co-researcher from The Tower Project and Kate co- presented our research at an event called Access All Areas? A lot of interested discussion and we were asked if we would be able present a conference for Share Museums East, held at the Polar Museum in Cambridge on Friday March 4th 2016 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | http://www.sensoryobjects.com/?p=3444 |
| Description | Wolfson Advisory Panel British Museum |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Sensory Objects enterprise purpleSTARS are part of the Wolfson Advisory Panel at the British Museum. The purpose of the panel is to explore different ways in which we can access the collection e.g. storytelling, music, discussion etc. Also, to consider practicalities like; how individuals learn about events that take place at Museums and Galleries; when might be the best time/day of the week for events; what challenges they might face in terms of access and how this can be addressed etc. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018 |
| URL | https://purplestars.org.uk/2017/07/01/featured-content/ |
| Description | Working with Different Audiences Polar Museum Cambridge |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited to present after the organiser saw our presentation at the Whitworth Gallery Engage Conference Access All Areas. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | http://sharemuseumseast.org.uk/events/working-with-different-audiences/ |
| Description | Workshops part of Interactive sensory objects for and by people with learning disablities |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Empower people with learning disabilities to create alternative types of museum interpretation, learn about interactive sculpture. Workshops led to museum director acknowledging consider alternative models for workshops and interpretation |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012,2013,2014 |
| URL | http://www.sensoryobjects.com |
| Description | purple STARS collaborate with Bubble Club to create an inclusive club experience: The Power of Bubble for Uniqlo Tate Lates at Tate Modern Gallery 28th February 2020 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | purpleSTARS collaborated with Bubble Club who create inclusive and immersive club nights co-created by people with learning disabilities. We developed an inclusive club night experience for UniqloTate Lates part of the Tate Exchange programme. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/late/uniqlo-tate-lates |
| Description | purpleSTARS Developing Sensory Interactives for MERL Workshops |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Two purpleSTARS volunteer placements from Tower Project London led Sensory Expeditions for 8 students from Reading College Learners with Learning difficulties/disabilities (LLD/D) dept at the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) October- December 2017. Led to the design of 3 sensory interactives for MERL including two using Virtual Reality, collaboration with Dutch Design Company SHOSHO and further work experience position in development for a student at Reading College LLD/D dept at MERL |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://purplestars.org.uk/2017/03/01/featured-content-2/ |
| Description | purpleSTARS and Bubble Club inclusive training for Tate Exchange Ambassador Training 18th February 2020 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | purpleSTARS collaborated with Bubble Club to create an Inclusive Training Day for Tate Exchange ambassadors including Visitor Assistants, Security and Bar Staff at Tate Modern. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://purplestars.org.uk/2019/12/31/558/ |
| Description | purpleSTARS present Museum of London 'New Museum Conversation' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | purpleSTARS Judith Appiah and Michael Tapps presented purpleSTARS approach with museums as part of a series of conversations at the Museum of London designed to influence the development of a New Museum of London and its move from the Barbican to Smithfields. The talk contributed to the discussion regarding the museums conceptualisation and sensory and participatory approaches. PurpleSTARS work, presented by Michael and Judith left a very strong impression and invitation for future collaboration. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | purpleSTARS present at Preparing for Adulthood Swiss Cottage School |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Erasmus 'Imagining the Future' addresses participatory barriers which young people with learning disabilities often face, when accessing supported employment and the community. purpleSTARS contributed a workshop on multimedia advocacy 2-3pm and a presentation on working with museums |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | http://www.swisscottageteachingschool.org.uk/events/preparing-for-adulthood |
| Description | purpleSTARS workshop with atempo from Austria |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
| Results and Impact | Workshop for interns from atempo a non-profit association whose primary goal is the equality of treatment of all people in the community in Austria. atempo has 80 employees of which 25 percent are people with disabilities. In Austria atempo is one of the leading social corporations. purpleSTARS shared the VR work in MERL and the Wikis. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.atempo.at/en |