Around the toilet: Co-creating intersectional understandings of gender, disability and access

Lead Research Organisation: Sheffield Hallam University
Department Name: Faculty of Development and Society

Abstract

While toilets are often thought to be a mundane space, for those for whom a lack of adequate or accessible toilet provision is a crucial practical issue on a daily basis, toilets are 'the big necessity' (George, 2011). For some, a lack of adequate or accessible toilet provision is a crucial practical issue on a daily basis. Disabled people, for example, frequently report that accessible toilets are 'not accessible enough' (there may be too few, or they may be too small for larger wheelchairs, or not have a hoist or changing space) (Changing Places, 2013), while other studies show that diminishing numbers of public toilets can prevent older people leaving the house (Knight and Bichard, 2011, Department for Communities and Local Government, 2008). Thinking around toilets, and their function as material as well as socio-cultural environments, presents an opportunity to think in multi-faceted ways about forms of identity. Toilets often present a stark visual and material enactment of a gender binary ('Men's Toilets', 'Women's Toilets', 'the Ladies') in ways that can be problematic for trans, genderqueer, or non-binary people who do not identify with the gender they were assigned at birth. Conversely, it is often the 'accessible' (disabled) toilet that provides a gender-neutral space. For some disabled people, this can serve as an example, reflected in the built environment, of the oppressive assumption that they are genderless and asexual (Kafer, 2013).

In recognition of the fact that the social issue of toilets is about practical access and personal affect, this project uses arts- and practice-based approaches to experiment with 'toilet talk' as a method of investigating issues of 'access' and 'identity' in relation to gender and disability. While the research and activities will focus around gender and disability, we also seek to consider additional intersections of identity including race, ethnicity, age, religion and faith. Five research workshops based around the arts practices of reflective storytelling, making/creating and performance, will take place between April and September 2015, in collaboration with three community partners: Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People (GMCDP), Queer of the Unknown (a performing arts collective) and Action for Trans* Health. Following these workshops, ideas and reflections will form part of an Architecture Live Project undertaken by MA Architecture students at the University of Sheffield, resulting in a number of installations/provocations. These installations will be displayed in public spaces in Manchester with the intention of stimulating city users to reflect on issues of access and identity in social spaces. The activities and installations will be captured in innovative visual and material forms that will be displayed at an end of project event targeting urban planners, architects and other city professionals. The aim of the project is to explore and disrupt received notions of 'access' and 'identity' and to find ways of articulating the idea that 'peeing is political' (Molotoch, 2010, 2).

Planned Impact

As outlined in the Pathways to Impact document, the project has been co-devised and developed in close conjunction with project partners Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People (GMCDP), Queer of the Unknown and Action for Trans* Health. As such, capacity for impact has been considered at each stage of the research/dissemination process. This statement outlines both the direct and immediate beneficiaries, but also the more indirect and longer term impact that will outlast the 9 month duration of the project. Direct and immediate beneficiaries include: project partners and their networks of members and/or client user groups; non-HEI Connected Communities researchers; city-users that engage with the installations/provocations developed through the research process; urban planners, architects and other city professionals (including policy makers) targeted through existing networks by the end of project event (detailed further in Pathways to Impact). Indirect and longer term beneficiaries include: disabled people and their families, trans* people, and others for whom toilet access is a problem (older people, people with children and carers, for example), policy makers, city professionals reached through less direct means (e.g. networking, blog, press coverage).

Each individual research workshop (Stage One - April-September 2015) has been co-designed with Community Co-Investigators representing the interests of their members or user groups. As such, each workshop will result in the production of a tangible output which can be used through the campaigning activities of project partners. Project partners, however, are also keen for public engagement to be a core component of the project. Therefore, Stage Two involves collaboration with Sheffield School of Architecture to create a series of installations/provocations based upon Stage One findings which will engage city users in creative and stimulating ways (October-December 2015). We envisage these installations as having the potential to attract local press coverage, thereby maximising impact beyond the remit of those who directly engage with the installations. Publicisation of the installations to media outlets will be facilitated with the support of Sheffield Hallam University's Media Centre as well as the contacts and resources offered by Leeds University's Arts Engaged team. Finally, an end of project event in December 2015, will employ these installations/provocations to 'target', and disseminate learning to, architects, urban planners and other city professionals.

We aim to assess and evaluate impact at each stage of the project through methods which include recording participant responses to workshops in an appropriate and sensitive manner (through written and/or oral forms), public and media responses to the installations, and facilitating a (moderated) comment section of the project blog (see Pathways to Impact). Such responses will all add to the rich and varied data collected, and will feed into the production of an end of project event. More indirect and longer term beneficiaries of any changes in policy and practice will include those for whom a lack of adequate toilet provision currently restricts wider access to community.
 
Title Lift the Lid (Zine) 
Description Mini self-published magazine collaboratively written and distributed to various sites (libraries, hairdressers, charities, activist organisations) for public disseminations 
Type Of Art Creative Writing 
Year Produced 2018 
Impact In 2017 a blog post asked for contributors to a self-published mini-magazine ('zine') about toilets, access and inclusive/exclusive spaces. In total there were 19 short, accessible contributions detailing people's toilet experiences. 200 copies of the zine was then distributed to a diverse range of individuals and organisations internationally, including youth centres, community groups, libraries, galleries, hair-dressers, student unions, and architecture practices. On requesting a copy of the zine to put in an exhibition about gender and public space, Ben Scott from design collective, Bad Little Brother, described Around the Toilet as 'a touchstone for us as we organize the exhibition'. The zine is also available online and has had nearly 3000 impressions. 
URL https://issuu.com/aroundthetoilet/docs/zine_finished_web_optimized
 
Title Postcards 
Description Two workshops and the end of project event were graphically recorded by artist, Sarah Smizz. These were made into postcards which have been distributed at research workshops, through community partners and at publicly engaged events. 
Type Of Art Artwork 
Year Produced 2015 
Impact Generation of interest in the project; use by community partners for future activity 
URL https://aroundthetoilet.wordpress.com/2015/06/24/illustrating-our-toilet-stories/
 
Title Queer of the Unknown Performance 
Description Jess Bradley and Laurence Webb from Queer of the Unknown performed a piece devised to reflect the data from Around the Toilet. This was performed at the Around the Toilet End of Project event, and graphically recorded by Sarah Smizz (graphic recording linked below). 
Type Of Art Performance (Music, Dance, Drama, etc) 
Year Produced 2016 
Impact Conversation was generated at the end of project event. Queer of the Unknown plan to develop and re-show the performance leading to further impact. 
URL https://aroundthetoilet.wordpress.com/2015/12/15/drawings-of-the-closing-event/
 
Title T-shirts and Tote Bags 
Description Participants at the Around the Toilet End of Project Event screen printed t-shirts and tote bags to take away and use in their organisations 
Type Of Art Artwork 
Year Produced 2016 
Impact When worn/carried t-shirts and bags provide the beginning of a conversation about the Around the Toilet project 
URL https://aroundthetoilet.wordpress.com/2015/12/10/re-imagining-toilets-an-event-summary/
 
Title Toilet Provocation/Installation 
Description in Stage 2 of the project Masters Level architecture students from Sheffield School of Architecture doing a 'Live Project' module created a public installation and game based upon the data from our workshops. These outputs raise awareness of difficulties surrounding the accessibility of public toilets within the public domain of the city and provided us with an engagement tool which has a legacy beyond the timescale of the Live Project. The installation disseminates the findings of 'Around the Toilet's' research by creating an interactive game. Participants are given a scenario and persona card and the aim is to find a 'toilet' which meets the needs of the scenario. The aesthetics and structure of the installation adopts a design language, which is common to toilet cubicles. Using copper plumbing fixings and pristine white acrylic panels to produce a demountable, nomadic installation. The participatory game is designed to be informative and encourage discussion animates this low-tech, tent like copper structure. 
Type Of Art Artefact (including digital) 
Year Produced 2015 
Impact It has been used in performances by community partners, and was displayed at our end of project event. It sparked conversation and requests have be used at other events (see below) - hence providing a legacy for Around the Toilet. We have plans to incorporate it into other exhibitions such as Loitering With Intent (Manchester People's History Museum, August 2016) with community partner The Loiterers Resistance Movement, and at the G39 exhibition space in Cardiff. We have also incorporated the installation into a bid to be part of the AHRC Connected Communities Utopian Festival in June 2016. 
URL http://www.liveprojects.org/
 
Title Travelling Toilet Tales Soundscape/Animation 
Description A soundscape and animation documenting stories of journeys taken/not taken due to in/accessible toilets 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2016 
Impact Used in training, teaching and at public events 
URL https://aroundthetoilet.wordpress.com/storying-school-toilets/
 
Description Toilet provision in the UK is currently inadequate for a wide range of people, due to both relational and functional flaws. We need more public toilets, more accessible designs, and different attitudes and ways of understanding the space and our fellow occupants.
Many trans and disabled people experience significant difficulties in accessing a safe, usable and comfortable toilet away from home.
Toilets labelled as 'accessible' are often in fact inaccessible for many disabled users for a range of reasons.
There is a lack of toilet research, particularly in the UK, which takes seriously trans people's experiences of harassment and violence in binary gendered toilets.
There is a need for more all-gender toilet provision (sometimes known as 'gender neutral' toilets). This would benefit a range of people including: parents with children of a different gender; those who care for people of a different gender; some disabled people who have a personal assistant of a different gender; and some people whose gender is questioned in the toilet, including some trans and non-binary people (and, to a lesser extent, some cisgender people).
A 'one size fits all' approach to toilet design doesn't work - there is no one toilet design to suit all users' needs. Nevertheless, consideration of all users and moves towards improvement are crucial.
Exploitation Route Working from the ethos that 'everybody has a toilet story to share', this award-winning interdisciplinary research has broadened and deepened discussions of toilets and accessibility with a diverse range of people in the UK, Europe and North America. These include those directly affected by the issues, those reached through public engagement and people with institutional responsibilities who are in a position to make change. This has resulted in four areas of impact:

Enabling activism, influencing communities and informing professional practice
Influencing policy and practice in toilet accessibility and design
Stimulating debate and shaping discourse
Inspiring methodological innovation in public engagement.

The research has led to shifting and more holistic attitudes towards toilet accessibility, as well as changing infrastructure allowing a more diverse range of people access to public space. A legacy of project materials has enabled others to stimulate change on their own terms.
Sectors Construction

Creative Economy

Education

Environment

Healthcare

Leisure Activities

including Sports

Recreation and Tourism

Culture

Heritage

Museums and Collections

Retail

Transport

URL http://aroundthetoilet.com
 
Description Working from the ethos that 'everybody has a toilet story to share', this award-winning interdisciplinary research has broadened and deepened discussions of toilets and accessibility with a diverse range of people in the UK, Europe and North America. These include those directly affected by the issues, those reached through public engagement and people with institutional responsibilities who are in a position to make change. This has resulted in four areas of impact: Enabling activism, influencing communities and informing professional practice Influencing policy and practice in toilet accessibility and design Stimulating debate and shaping discourse Inspiring methodological innovation in public engagement. The research has led to shifting and more holistic attitudes towards toilet accessibility, as well as changing infrastructure allowing a more diverse range of people access to public space. A legacy of project materials has enabled others to stimulate change on their own terms.
First Year Of Impact 2016
Sector Communities and Social Services/Policy,Construction,Creative Economy,Education,Healthcare,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections,Retail
Impact Types Cultural

Societal

 
Description Slater advising on trans* toilet provision at Sheffield Hallam University
Geographic Reach Local/Municipal/Regional 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
Impact Slater is advising Sheffield Hallam University around the provision of toilet facilities for trans* students. Findings from Around the Toilet show that trans people base journeys on the provision of suitable toilets. With improved toilet facilities the university will 1) have improved accessibility; 2) improve the educational experience of trans students, staff and visitors.
 
Description Beers, Burgers, and Bleach: Hygiene, toilets, and hospitality in the time of COVID-19
Amount £5,000 (GBP)
Organisation Wellcome Trust 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 08/2020 
End 07/2021
 
Description Connected Communities Festival - Utopia Fair - Servicing Utopia
Amount £10,000 (GBP)
Organisation Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 02/2016 
End 09/2016
 
Description Connected Communities Festival - Utopia Fair - Travelling Toilet Tales
Amount £19,999 (GBP)
Organisation Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 02/2016 
End 09/2016
 
Description ESRC Festival of Social Sciences - Storying School Toilets
Amount £800 (GBP)
Organisation Economic and Social Research Council 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2015 
End 12/2015
 
Description Follow-on Funding for Impact and Engagement
Amount £100,000 (GBP)
Funding ID AH/P009557/1 
Organisation Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 02/2017 
End 02/2018
 
Description Collaboration through Sheffield School of Architecture 'Live Project' 
Organisation University of Liverpool
Department School of Architecture
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Around the Toilet, along with members of the community partner teams, acted as clients for a Sheffield School of Architecture 'Live Project'. Through this we developed, with Masters level architecture students, a brief which formed the public installation detailed in the creative outputs section. Students commented that they'd never thought about the importance of toilets before and that the project would influence their later practice.
Collaborator Contribution Sheffield School of Architecture offered the design and construction skills of a group of Masters Level Architecture students. Between September and December 2015, they responded to the research that we conducted with our partners over summer 2015. This resulted in the installation listed in the creative outputs section. We remain in contact with two students, who have become part of a future collaborative bid (currently under review for AHRC CC Utopian Festival).
Impact Toilet Provocation/Installation, listed under artistic and creative outputs. A cross-disciplinary collaboration made by architects working with the Around the Project client team (academics based in Education, English Literature and Sociology, and community partners). All students presenters at Around The Toilet Installation - Public Architecture Presentation (Engagement Activities) Two students were presenters at End of Project event Re-Imagining Toilets: Adventures in the Design of the Public Loo (Engagement Activities)
Start Year 2015
 
Description Collaboration with Accessible Derbyshire 
Organisation Accessible Derbyshire
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Jane Carver and Gillian Scoford from Accessible Derbyshire were invited guests and members of the expert panel at the Around the Toilet End of Project Event, Re-imagining Toilets: Adventures into the Design of the Public Loo.
Collaborator Contribution Jane Carver and Gillian Scoford from Accessible Derbyshire were invited guests and members of the expert panel at the Around the Toilet End of Project Event, Re-imagining Toilets: Adventures into the Design of the Public Loo.
Impact Jane Carver and Gillian Scoford from Accessible Derbyshire were invited guests and members of the expert panel at the Around the Toilet End of Project Event, Re-imagining Toilets: Adventures into the Design of the Public Loo (Engagement Activities) Accessible Derbyshire were partners on Travelling Toilet Tales (a Connected Communities project culminating in a three day exhibition at the Connected Communities Utopia Fair at Somerset House, London in June 2016).
Start Year 2015
 
Description Collaboration with Action for Trans* Health 
Organisation Action for Trans Health
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution We have collaborated with Action for Trans* Health throughout the Around the Toilet project. Jess Bradley from Action for Trans* Health has been a paid collaborator, and the payment for their work has contributed to their solidarity fund (supporting trans people's health care). Postcards designed and made along with community partners including Action for Trans* Health have been used by the organisation and their networks in campaigning for more accessible toilet provision.
Collaborator Contribution Action for Trans* Health have offered expertise in trans people experiences of access to toilets. They have also given us access to participants and wider networks.
Impact Jess Bradley from Action for Trans Health was a speaker at the Public Speaker Event (Engagement Activities) Jess Bradley from Action for Trans Health was part of the client team which fed into the Toilet Provocation/Installation (Artistic and Creative Outputs) Jess Bradley from Action for Trans Health was interviewed by a journalist for the a speaker at Press Coverage - Mancunian Matters (Engagement Activities) Jess Bradley from Action for Trans Health joined the expert panel at the End of Project event Re-Imagining Toilets: Adventures in the Design of the Public Loo (Engagement Activities) Other members of Action for Trans Health joined us at the Connected Communities Utopia Fair in June 2016. Jess Bradley from Action for Trans Health has joined the advisory board for Arts, Activism, Architecture and Access: Taking Around the Toilet to New Spaces (Feb 2017-Feb 2018).
Start Year 2015
 
Description Collaboration with Gemma Nash (Disability Artist - Drake Music) 
Organisation Drake Music
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Employment for independent artist, opportunity to collaborate on relevant project, platform to display artistic works
Collaborator Contribution Gemma Nash first became involved with Around the Toilet as a project participant, and later became the soundscape artist for Travelling Toilet Tales (funded through the Connected Communities Utopia 16 call). Gemma Nash is a Community Co-I on Arts, Architecture, Activism and Access: Taking Around the Toilet to New Spaces.
Impact Funding for the Travelling Toilet Tales Project Travelling Toilet Tales soundscape Funding for Arts, Architecture, Activism and Access: Taking Around the Toilet to New Spaces
Start Year 2015
 
Description Collaboration with Public Toilets UK 
Organisation Public Toilets UK
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Public toilets UK is a campaigning group campaigning for ? More clean, well maintained toilets when you're out and about [immediate] ? Public toilets to become a legal requirement We invited a member of Public Toilets UK was invited to join the expert panel at the Around the Toilet end of project event
Collaborator Contribution A member of Public Toilets UK was invited to join the expert panel at the Around the Toilet end of project event, offering their expertise. Later in the New Spaces project they became a member of our advisory board.
Impact A member of Public Toilets UK was invited to join the expert panel at the Around the Toilet end of project event, Re-Imagining Toilets: Adventures into the Design of the Public Loo. Public Toilets UK were partners on the AHRC funded Connected Communities Travelling Toilet Tales project culminating in a three day event at Somerset House London in June 2016. Public Toilets UK are partners on Arts, Architecture, Activism and Access: Taking Around the Toilet to New Spaces (Feb 2017-Feb 2018).
Start Year 2015
 
Description Collaboration with Queer of the Unknown Arts Collective 
Organisation Queer of the Unknown
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution We have collaborated with Queer of the Unknown throughout the Around the Toilet project. Laurence Webb from Queer of the Unknown has been a paid community co-investigator.
Collaborator Contribution Queer of the Unknown have given us access to networks and participants. They have also facilitated a performance workshop during the data collection stage, and performed at our end of project event. Overall, they have offered expertise in 1) using performance to gain qualitative data; and 2) the experiences of queer people in accessing toilets.
Impact Laurence Webb from Queer of the Unknown joined the expert panel and Queer of the Unknown performed at the End of Project event Re-Imagining Toilets: Adventures in the Design of the Public Loo (Engagement Activities).
Start Year 2015
 
Description Collaboration with The Loiterers Resistance Movement 
Organisation Loiterers Restance Movement (LRM)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The LRM is a Manchester-based collective of artists and activists interested in psychogeography, public space and the hidden stories of the city. The research team has collaborated in future funding opportunities with The Loiterers Resistance Movement, as well as offering outputs from Around the Toilet to be used in an exhibition at the Manchester People's History Museum, Loitering With Intent, which will curated by The Loiterers Resistance Movement in August 2016.
Collaborator Contribution The Loiterers Resistance Movement began working with Around the Toilet in Stage 2 of the project, forming part of the group which advised and worked with student architects in building a toilet access installation. The Loiterers Resistance Movement hosted an exhibition at the Manchester People's History Museum (July-October 2016) which displayed Around the Toilet outputs.
Impact Toilet Provocation/Installation, listed under artistic and creative outputs. A cross-disciplinary collaboration made by architects working with the Around the Project client team (academics based in Education, English Literature and Sociology, and community partners). Participation in Loitering with Intent Exhibition, listed under Engagement Activities. A cross-disciplinary collaboration between those interested in psycho-geography (academics and otherwise) and the Around the Project client team. Morag Rose from LRM joined the panel at End of Project event Re-Imagining Toilets: Adventures in the Design of the Public Loo (Engagement Activities) Morag Rose from LRM joined the Travelling Toilet Tales team at the Connected Communities Utopia Fair at Somerset House, London in June 2016. The Loiterers Resistance Movement hosted an exhibition at the Manchester People's History Museum (July-October 2016) which displayed Around the Toilet outputs.
Start Year 2015
 
Description Collaboration with Truckers Toilets UK 
Organisation Truckers' Toilets
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Truckers Toilets UK are a campaigning organisation calling for greater access to toilets for lorry and truck drivers. We invited them to our end of project event to join the expert panel, and to engage with debates with other toilet campaigners.
Collaborator Contribution A member of Truckers Toilets UK shared her expertise by joining the expert panel at the end of project event.
Impact A member of Truckers Toilets UK was invited to join the expert panel at the Around the Toilet end of project event, Re-Imagining Toilets: Adventures into the Design of the Public Loo. Truckers Toilets UK were partners on the AHRC funded Connected Communities Travelling Toilet Tales project culminating in a three day event at Somerset House London in June 2016. Truckers Toilets UK are partners on Arts, Architecture, Activism and Access: Taking Around the Toilet to New Spaces (Feb 2017-Feb 2018).
Start Year 2015
 
Title Development of Draft Toolkit for Architects 
Description MA Students from Sheffield School of Architecture developed a draft 'toolkit for architects' which encompassed some of the Around the Toilet findings into the original guidelines for architects around the provision of (accessible) toilets. We have applied for funding to develop this further. The draft document can be viewed here: https://aroundthetoilet.wordpress.com/live-projects/ 
Type Of Technology Physical Model/Kit 
Year Produced 2016 
Impact The toolkit for architects aims to disrupt and challenge current guidelines for architects which don't go far enough in addressing the issues of accessibility that Around the Toilet has highlighted. We hope future funding will allow us to workshop the toolkit further with architects. 
URL https://aroundthetoilet.wordpress.com/live-projects/
 
Title Toilet Toolkit 
Description An online interactive toolkit turning data/stories collected through the project into design solutions. 
Type Of Technology Webtool/Application 
Year Produced 2016 
Impact Being used in new project, Arts, Architecture, Activism and Access: Taking Around the Toilet to New Spaces, to train architects at Masters Level Twitter feedback and debate 
URL http://www.toilettoolkit.co.uk
 
Description Around The Toilet Installation - Public Architecture Presentation 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact This was a public presentation by Masters level architecture students that developed the installation for Around the Toilet, for their 'Live Project' module. They presented their work to architecture practitioners, academics and other postgraduate students. Also in attendance were other 'Live Project' clients. Architecture practitioners and academics in the room reported interest in Around the Toilet.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL http://www.liveprojects.org/
 
Description Art Gallery Workshop + Installation (g39, Cardiff) 
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 Workshop and panel delivered to around 30 delegates. Toilet installation/maze game displayed in art gallery for 3 months.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description Daily Mail Article - 21th Jan 2017 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Mention in newspaper article - 14k shares, 400 comments (as of Feb 2017)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL http://www.dailymail.co.uk/~/article-4167632/index.html
 
Description Daily Mail Article - 7th Jan 2017 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Article in Daily Mail 116 shares, 115 comments (as of Feb 2016)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4089642/Researchers-splashed-50-000-taxpayers-study-toilet-s...
 
Description Editorial in The Times Educational Supplement 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Invited to write blog for Time Educational Supplement's SEND Focus
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-views/send-focus-school-toilets-teach-disabled-student...
 
Description Educational Utopias Talk (Somerset House, London) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Invited talk on panel at Somerset House, London as part of Utopia Fair 2016
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description End of Project Event: Re-Imagining Toilets: Adventures in the Design of the Public Loo 
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 The Around the Toilet end of project event was an afternoon and evening drop-in event, aimed at a wide audience. It included talks, films, t-shirt making and a performance from one of our community partners, Queer of the Unknown. We filled a gallery space with the art and creative outputs from the projects, and an installation that's been made for us by student architects on their 'live project' module.

50-60 people attended altogether, with many more engaging on Twitter. We used an app called Periscope which meant it was broadcast live on our Twitter Stream. This was at the request of a disabled woman who runs a blog called Accessible Toilets, as she couldn't make it to the event. A funding bid for future collaborations with the Accessible Toilets campaign have been submitted to be part of the AHRC Connected Communities Utopia Festival.

This was a great networking event. As well as disabled, queer and trans people who've been involved in or are members of the partner organisations that have been involved in the project, we also had architects and those interested and working in the built environment, representatives from Public Toilets UK, Truckers Toilets UK, Accessible Derbyshire (who are advocates for Changing Places Toilets), Period Positive (a menstruation education programme), and a journalist who'd heard about the event and came along from a local Manchester newspaper. The feedback that we've got is lovely - with many wanting to stay involved in any future projects.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL https://aroundthetoilet.wordpress.com/2015/12/10/re-imagining-toilets-an-event-summary/
 
Description International Workshop Talk and Attendance (Intimate Citizenship, Toronto, Canada) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Questions & discussion; international audience (UK, Canada, USA, South Africa, Australia) informed of the project including disabled, queer and trans people and self-advocacy groups.

Planning of future international funding bid; links made with Tangled Arts + Disability who will be informing stage 2 of the project
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL https://makingspaceforintimatecitizenship.wordpress.com/loving-working-and-consuming/
 
Description Invited workshop Facilitator at Fixers: Happy with my gender fix 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Invited workshop facilitator at Fixers UK event. Facilitated workshop for trans young people in the morning, followed by a 'panel' aimed at policy makers and practitioners. Resulted in online report via Fixers UK website and Youtube channel.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL http://www.fixers.org.uk/feel-happy-fix/feel-happy-with-my-gender-fix/the-report.php
 
Description LGBTQ Nation Report on Project 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact 3.5k shares as of Feb 2017
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2017/01/uk-study-bathroom-signage-describe-not-inside/
 
Description OMGGay! Online article 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Online article - 12 shares, 97 views as of Feb 2017
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL http://omggay.com/2017/01/06/uk-government-funded-study-suggests-replacing-ladies-gents-signs-toilet...
 
Description Participation in Loitering with Intent Exhibition 
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 Around the Toilet has been invited contribute to a display at the 'Loitering with Intent' exhibition for the People's History Museum, Manchester (July-September 2016), curated by The Loiterers Resistance Movement (LRM). The LRM is a Manchester-based collective of artists and activists interested in psychogeography, public space and the hidden stories of the city. Around the Toilet will have a physical presence for three months, over which period the museum on average attracts 24,500 visitors.

In addition to the exhibition, we have applied for funding to commission Morag Rose to run five Manchester-based city walks around the theme of public toilets and urban space. As the founder of LRM, Rose is experienced in curating walks; she presented 'Are You Engaged? The Secret World of Manchester's Toilets'' at Around the Toilet's speaker event in June.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL http://nowhere-fest.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/the-lrm-at-peoples-history-museum-call.html
 
Description Press Coverage - Mancunian Matters 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Press coverage of Re-Imagining Toilets end of project event in Manchester online newspaper
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL http://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/content/011275107-some-people-dont-leave-house-manchester-toilet-e...
 
Description Press Interest (Pink News) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Pink News reported on the project after at Sheffield Hallam press release. This led to some online discussion, and the recruitment of an additional participant to the project.



N/A
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/06/03/university-researching-access-to-toilets/
 
Description Press Interest (The Gay UK) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Public interest

N/A
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/06/03/university-researching-access-to-toilets/
 
Description Press Release 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Press release by Sheffield Hallam Media Centre

Picked up by 2 online news sites (see separate entries)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description Public Enagement Workshop - Storying School Toilets 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Following the Storying School Toilets workshop in schools, we 'launched' the comics made by pupils at an event at a coffee shop on a Saturday. This was part of the ESRC Festival of the Social Sciences, and we invited members of the school, as well as opening the event to the general public. Children came along with parents and relatives (some of whom were teachers themselves, which had sparked their interest). Conversations were lively and engaged. More comics were produced.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL https://aroundthetoilet.wordpress.com/storying-school-toilets/
 
Description Public Speaker Event 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Talk sparked questions and discussions; positive feedback including changes in thinking; recruitment of participants for the studsty; delegates included those from civic trusts and architects, as well as trans and disabled people

N/A
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL https://aroundthetoilet.wordpress.com/2015/07/06/toilet-talks-an-event-summary/
 
Description Publically-engaged conference workshop (Queer Crip Event) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Discussion of toilet politics with an audience of disabled and queer people for whom the study is relevant

Contact with Sisters of Frida - Disabled Women's Organisation in London
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/interrogating-queer-crip-and-the-body-an-international-symposium-ticke...
 
Description School Workshop (Sheffield) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact 12 pupils and 3 teaching assistant staff attended a one day workshop, funded by the ESRC Festival of Social Sciences. This enabled us to take The Around the Toilet research around experiences of toilets into a school. There was an output from the workshop as the children made comics based on their toilet stories and experiences. There were lots of questions and discussions, and some children and parents later attended a public event in a coffee shop.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL https://aroundthetoilet.wordpress.com/storying-school-toilets/
 
Description Sheffield Star - online article 5th January 2017 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Online article in local online newspaper
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/toilets-with-urinals-and-toilets-without-urinals-sheffield-university-...
 
Description Talk at conference for newly qualified teachers 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Talk sparked questions and dicussions, as well as attendance at future talks/workshops.

Emails from delegates indicating a change in thinking.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/about-us/news/lsbu-conference-griselda-pollock
 
Description The Gay UK Online Article 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact A study finds that Male/Female WC signage could be replaced by room descriptions - 469 shares as of Feb 2017
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL http://www.thegayuk.com/a-study-finds-that-malefemale-wc-signage-could-replaced-by-room-descriptions...
 
Description Utopia Fair, Somerset House (London) 
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 Three day public event - Travelling Toilet Tales and Servicing Utopia both had stalls. Discussion with members of the public attending with wide variety of backgrounds (including design professionals).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/utopia-2016
 
Description Workshop for School Practitioners 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact A workshop at a professional conference for early years and primary school practitioners. In attendance at the workshop was a headteacher and a teaching assistant from a school who would like to further collaborate on a school toilet specific project.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL https://aroundthetoilet.wordpress.com/2016/01/20/storying-school-toilets-workshop-summary-from-the-s...