Dr Jade French

Profile

I am a museum professional and researcher based in Liverpool, UK. I have worked extensively alongside community groups to explore the intersection of curating, participation and social change, with a focus on issues of intellectual access and inclusion within museums, galleries and heritage sites. I have particular expertise in collaborating with learning disabled people. My work currently explores inclusive and accessible curating and its role in initiating broader conversations around democracy and diversity in cultural spaces. I am currently writing a book for Arc Humanities Press 'Inclusive Curating in Contemporary Art: A Practical Guide', as well as editing a second book 'Intellectual Disability and Visual Art: A Critical Enquiry' for publisher Palgrave Macmillan.

My practice has primarily taken the form of visual art exhibitions and public workshop programmes, but I have also produced a number of collaborative book projects, films and zines. I studied BA Photography at Nottingham Trent University, and MA Inclusive Arts Practice at University of Brighton. I have worked with a variety of cultural institutions including Bluecoat, The Atkinson, The Royal Standard, Hull City of Culture and The Women's Library, and in June/July 2018 I undertook The Firestation Artist Studio's International Curator Residency in Dublin, Ireland.

In addition to my academic work, I am a Community Engagement Coordinator at the Catalyst Museum and an Associate Artist at The Turnpike. I have undertaken independent research evaluations and reporting for organisations such as DASH, Artlink and Hull City of Culture 2017. I was the winner of The Double Negative's and John Moores University critical writing competition #BeACritic and was featured on University of Leeds Women of Achievement roll for my contributions to socially-engaged arts practices. I am a practice-led researcher whose research interests emerge from practical experience of running inclusive and participatory arts projects.

Research interests

Areas of interest include;

• Inclusive approaches to curating
• Inclusive and participatory arts practices
• 'Engagement' and 'participation' in museums, galleries and heritage
• Access and inclusion in museums, galleries and heritage
• Disability and diversity in museums, galleries and heritage
• Co-production and co-design in cultural spaces
• Disability Studies and Self-Advocacy
• Arts and activism
• Zines and DIY culture

Qualifications

• PhD Curating
• MA Inclusive Arts Practice
• BA Photography

Student education

Placements in Context: Policy, Organisations and Practice Module - MA Art Gallery and Museum Studies/MA Arts Management and Heritage Studies