AHC researchers awarded Sapling Fund grants for innovative collaborative projects
The Sapling Fund is designed to support the development of interdisciplinary research and impact projects rooted in the arts and humanities
Two researchers from the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures at the University of Leeds have been awarded funding through the Sapling Fund, a scheme jointly delivered by the Leeds Arts and Humanities Research Institute (LAHRI) and the Cultural Institute.
This fund, supported by the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF), is designed to support the development of interdisciplinary research and impact projects rooted in the arts and humanities, in collaboration with at least one non-HE partner from the cultural, arts, or third sectors.
Dr Iona McCleery from the School of History and Professor Jay Prosser from the School of English and Centre for Jewish Studies will each lead exciting projects that explore the intersection of historical research and community engagement, with a focus on cultural heritage and local histories. Their work highlights the University of Leeds' commitment to fostering meaningful collaborations between academic research and local communities, while contributing to the preservation and interpretation of cultural heritage.
Dr McCleery’s project, Wakefield Manor Today: Co-creating Research in the Modern Communities of the Medieval Court Rolls, focuses on the medieval history of Wakefield.
The Manor of Wakefield, one of the largest in England, has left behind a rich archive of court rolls spanning centuries. Through this collaborative project with Wakefield Museums Youth Forum and Wakefield Council, young people in the area will work alongside researchers to create stories and films based on these historical documents, exploring the medieval towns and villages that now form part of modern Wakefield. The project will culminate in pop-up exhibitions that bring these histories to life, demonstrating the vital role of young people as knowledge producers.
Dr McCleery said:
“The Wakefield Court rolls are an incredibly rich set of sources about the region, but even in their translated print versions, they can be quite dry and difficult to engage with so when we first used them in an exhibition in Wakefield back in 2013, we tried to bring the people and places to life through modern formats like film and cartoons. We’ve always wanted to go back and do more storytelling about the local area, particularly with the younger generation. This project is an opportunity for young people to use these historical documents to tell their own stories and create something that resonates with their communities. I’m most excited to see how creative they will be and what they come up with.”
Meanwhile, Professor Jay Prosser’s project, Learning from Yorkshire’s Holocaust Torah Scrolls, brings together the Memorial Scrolls Trust, the University of Leeds’ Cultural Collections & Galleries, the Centre for Jewish Studies, directed by Dr Eva Frojmovic who is also a collaborator on the project, and Jewish communities across Yorkshire.
This pioneering initiative seeks to reunite Holocaust Torah scrolls that were rescued during the Holocaust and are now on long-term loan to various institutions. The project aims to foster dialogue among charities, religious and cultural communities, and researchers, exploring the powerful symbolic significance of these rare objects. It will highlight the shared text between Jewish, Muslim, and Christian communities, offering a unique, multidimensional perspective on the Holocaust and its legacy.
Professor Prosser said:
“The inspiration for this project comes from my connection to the Holocaust Torah scroll held by my local Jewish community. When I had the privilege of conveying this scroll to the Memorial Scrolls Trust’s 60th anniversary reunion, I was deeply moved by its significance – its history of loss and its symbolism of hope for renewal. Working with these scrolls is like meeting an extraordinary teacher. In this project, we hope to educate and engage the public, providing community representatives with the knowledge to use the scrolls for Holocaust and interfaith education. What excites me most is the opportunity to collaborate with experts across various sectors, learning from each other’s expertise, and bringing together Yorkshire’s scrolls to see how they ‘speak’ to one another and to us.”
Dr McCleery and Professor Prosser’s projects are two of six University of Leeds projects awarded Sapling funding. For more details on current and past Sapling Fund projects, visit LAHRI's Sapling Fund page.
