present difference: the cultural production of disability

MMU in collaboration with the cultural disability studies research network and the BBC

This event brings together writers, artists, performers, broadcasters, film-makers, academics and interested members of the general public in order to explore the cultural production of disability. Our aim is to discuss the ways in which disability is represented in the mainstream media and other cultural practices, and to consider the role and experience of disabled people as cultural producers/practitioners. The final afternoon of the conference will take place at the BBC and will involve presentations and a networking session with programme makers.

Keynote speakers:

Lennard Davis (Illinois) author of Enforcing Normalcy: Disability Deafness and the Body (2001) and Bending Over Backwards: Essays on Disability and the Body (2002)

David T. Mitchell (Temple) and Sharon L.Snyder (Illinois) authors of Narrative Prosthesis: Disability and the Dependencies of Discourse (2001) and Cultural Locations of Disability (2006)

Robert McRuer (George Washington) author of CripTheory: Cultural Signs of Queerness and Disability (2006)

Artists, performers and film-makers include:

Shira Avni Sean Burn Paul Darke Jim Ferris Ju Gosling

Nicola Grove Jacqueline Roy Full Circle Arts outside-centre

Confirmed Events:

• Wednesday 6th January: Conference Dinner and entertainment

• Thursday 7th January: Lucy Burke gives an introductory talk to Special People followed by a screening of the film and Q&A session all BSL interpreted, at Cornerhouse Manchester

• Friday 8th January: Presentations, discussion and networking event at BBC Northwest, Manchester.


Please contact Dr Lucy Burke for further information about this event:
l.burke@mmu.ac.uk

Location

Geoffrey Manton Building, Manchester Metropolitan University