Dr Sylvan Baker, FRSA, is a care leaver, and Senior Lecturer, Community Performance Applied Theatre, at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. An Associate Artist of the award-winning project, Performing Medicine and former Associate Director of Arts and Social Justice research centre, People’s Palace Projects. His research explores innovative methods to stimulate co creation and agency amongst marginalised communities. As Deputy-Principal Investigator of the MRC funded Re-star project, he supports Neuro-diverse young people in the creation of resources to combat depression; as Co-Founder/Investigator of the award winning, AHRC funded, The Verbatim Formula, he uses performance with care-experienced young people to stimulate improvements to their care.

Christopher is an actor from the Cynon Valley, South Wales. Originally training as a historian and teacher, he became an actor in 2016. His theatrical career has encompassed Shakespearean roles, contemporary theatre, UK tours, and television appearances.

As a performer from a small town, working class background, I understand how difficult it can be to come by opportunities in this industry, particularly coming from a poorer area; I hope that going forward, we can begin to create more equal means and opportunities across the board, allowing everyone a seat at the table, as I believe that art and creativity is a birthright that we are all meant to enjoy.

Helen’s research lies at the intersection of political theory and participative and action-led forms of research. With museums, heritage and place as a focus, she investigates political dynamics of property, rights and claims; of democracy; of agency and affinity. Helen does this through participative and action-led research methods, experimenting with how small-scale participatory work can be combined with large scale whole system action. Recent projects include My Castle Gateway with Phil Bixby and in partnership with the City of York Council and Bradford’s National Museum project with the National Science and Media Museum.

Rachel Pedley is a disabled working class creative producer. Her work focuses on working with collaboration with community and freelancers. Many of the collaborators have faced barriers to the arts because of access, finance and discrimination.

Rachel trained at London Studio Centre and has performed on stage and screen. She is the founding director of Avant Cymru, starting the company to create a space for unheard voices, initially tackling her own journey of recurrent miscarriages.