Amy Redhead

Profile

I came to the University of Leeds in 2019 on a 3+1 ESRC Scholarship. After completing my MA in Social Research Methods, I completed my PhD entitled: Representing Down's Syndrome in Documentary: Exploring independence, relationships and prenatal screening in the documentary genre. My thesis considered the role and significance of documentaries in cultural narratives surrounding Down's syndrome and the impact they may have on the personhood of individuals with Down's syndrome. While there has been a significant shift in the visibility of people with Down’s syndrome in mainstream media, misrepresentation remains an issue. Together with co-researchers with Down’s syndrome, our analysis revealed that representations based on normative, ableist ideologies construct distorted, often stereotypical images of what a life with Down’s syndrome might be like. Using arts-based methods and a participatory research approach provided a space for co-researchers to consider and discuss in(ter)dependence, relationships and prenatal screening and how these themes were represented in documentaries.

The collaborative aspect of the thesis demonstrated with unequivocal certainty that people with Down’s syndrome can and should be included in cultural conversations, no matter their complexity. Consideration of the lived experience of people with Down’s syndrome is imperative in shifting attitudes concerning Down’s syndrome towards an affirmative understanding of the condition that reflects their valued lives, moving away from stereotypes anchored in dependency and deficit. In turn, such a shift, enacted by people living with Down’s syndrome, might make prenatal screening less routine and reactions to it more considered. My thesis illustrates how this can be done in practice, providing a participatory approach is taken, and complex, sensitive issues are handled with the utmost care. My research engages with several interconnected, complex theories, including vulnerability, biopolitics, normalcy, ableism and cultural disability representation, adding to existing bodies of knowledge surrounding these concepts and, in particular, how they relate to people with Down’s syndrome and learning disabled people more broadly.

After graduating, I embarked on a 12-month developmental lectureship in the School of Sociology and Social Policy. I gained a wealth of experience during this lectureship, which involved a full teaching load (including delivery to Foundation Year, undergraduate and postgraduate students). writing, developing and delivering course materials (including lectures, seminars and workshops) and serving as an Academic Personal Tutor and Dissertation Supervisor to UG and PG students.

My current role as Research Fellow is located within the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies. I am working as a participatory researcher on the research project 'Inclusive Art for Wicked Problems', which is funded by UKRI via Dr Jade French’s Future Leader Fellowship. The project is being delivered in collaboration with the inclusive arts organisation Pyramid and uses an arts-based systemic action research methodology to mobilise the expertise and creativity of learning disabled and neurodiverse artists across societal challenges, like care, support, and education. Part of our work involves the development of a methodological work package to generate new ways of working that bridges inclusive arts practice and systemic action research, and includes an international collaboration between the UK research team and art museum professionals in Brazil, as well as a locally embedded systemic action research project led by Pyramid artists across the Leeds City Region tackling the urgencies and issues which affect them.

Responsibilities

• Research Fellow, Inclusive Art for Wicked Problems, Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures

Qualifications

• MA in Disability Studies
• MA in Social Research Methods
• PhD in Sociology & Social Policy
• BA Hons in English Language and Special Educational Needs

Professional memberships

• Fellow of Advance HE
• Editorial Board Member of International Journal of Disability and Social Justice (IJDSJ)
• Executive member of Centre for Disability Studies (CDS)
• Member of Student Staff Partnership Forum
• Member of Centre for Culture and Disability Studies (CCDS)
• Member of LITE's Belonging & Success Group