Ava Podgorski

Profile

My current research project, 'Evaluating Cities of Culture’, explores the impacts of LEEDS 2023, the city’s dedicated year of culture. Through an in-depth case study of the year-long cultural programme, situated within a braoder exploration of other City of Culture events, I will examine issues involved in capturing the value and impact of a city of culture programme through the lens of Learning Legacies. Using a combination of traditional qualitative research methods (such as semi-structired interviews) and more novel methods (such as Listening Labs and Round Table Analysis), my PhD aims to conceptualise Learning Legacies in relation to cultural programmes. I am grateful that my research is funded by a Scholarship from Leeds University, School of Performance & Cultural Industries. 

In a role that compliments my PhD reserach, I am presently working as a researcher on the University of Leeds’ evaluation of the Speak Up programme with the National Theatre. I coordinate the research activity across various schools, and work with a team of Youth Peer Researchers involved with Speak Up at a school in Wakefield. I have also enjoyed working with Centre for Cultural Value colleagues on various outputs including the Research Digest: Culture and Placemaking, and the Evaluation Learning Space. I am a PGR member of the Centre for Cultural Policy and Leadership and the Place Research Group. 

Outside of my PGR activity, I am a trustee for Mahogany Opera, where I am lead trutsree for Safegaurding and co-lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. 

Research interests

• Evaluation and learning 
• Cultural management, governance and leadership
• Cultural policy 
• Access, equity, equality, diversity and inclusion in the Creative Industries
• Music education
• Entrepreneurship education in the Creative Industries
• Opera and music/theatre

Qualifications

• MusM Musicology from University of Manchester
• MusB (hons) Music from University of Manchester