Speakers: Dr Sarah Plumb, Senior Research Associate, Research Centre for Museums & Galleries (RCMG), University of Leicester, Christopher Samuel, Artist and Dr Heather Smith, Access & Equality Specialist, National Trust

This session will share the learning from Everywhere and Nowhere – a collaborative research project between the National Trust and Research Centre for Museums and Galleries at the University of Leicester that explores little known and previously untold histories of disability from across Trust sites and collections.

We will introduce the highly collaborative approaches we took; placing experience and expertise around disability at the heart of a collaborative research process to investigate how stories related to the lives of disabled people in the past can be ethically researched and publicly presented in new ways.

The project resulted in a pioneering film, co-created with artist Christopher Samuel and filmmakers Belle Vue Productions, that spotlights 10 of these stories and sets new standards in accessibility; and an ethical framework, made in consultation with an international steering group of disability experts, to help guide heritage and cultural practitioners through this type of work. Extracts from the film and the ethical framework will be showcased and explored, alongside highlighting some of the challenges we experienced in championing inclusive histories in the face of hostile attacks in the media.

To find out more about the project and to watch the Everywhere and Nowhere film in full in advance visit the project website.