Collaborate project spotlight
Find out more about the research project between The South North CIC and Glenn Odom, Reader, School of Arts and Digital Industries, University of Roehampton
Routing diaspora histories
Research partnership:
The South North CIC with Glenn Odom, Reader, School of Arts and Digital Industries, University of Roehampton
Research focus:
Exploring how diasporic communities connect with history in their contemporary lived experiences and the histories of the countries and regions from which they, or their ancestors, departed.
This partnership was awarded a research grant in June 2023 as part of the second round of the Centre for Cultural Value’s Collaborate programme.
The fund supported innovative new partnerships between cultural sector practitioners and academics to explore under-explored questions around cultural value.
What is the project exploring?
This anti-racism-centred project from South North CIC – co-directed by Damali Ibreck and Vanessa Ansa – is exploring how diasporic communities connect with history in their contemporary lived experiences and the histories of the countries and regions from which they, or their ancestors, departed.
Working with researcher Glenn Odom, the project is using historical references, maps, stories, folklore and memories connected to locations and communities positioned along local, regional and national pre-colonial Africa trading routes. The project aims to reposition notions of diasporic identity that might usually draw on slavery and (post)colonialism, trauma and resistance.
Research participants are interpreting pre-colonial and personal histories actively and creatively through constructive, performative, cultural and storytelling activities, such as walks, talks, readings, workshops, writing, arts engagement and mobile phone filmmaking processes.
We will update you with more findings from the project over the next year.
