It’s time to begin putting a public face to the idea of sociological-artistic collaboration. The Margate School run a series of regular guest lectures throughout the year, and part of my initial proposal was that I would host some sociologically-geared speakers and material to compliment it.
The first three events I’ve organised are now confirmed – all open to the public and to students/residents.
Tuesday 1st November 2022: We will be welcoming my SSPSSR colleague Dr Vince Miller to discuss his research into digital ruins – abandoned online spaces that help us understand the wastes of the internet.
Friday 2nd December 2022: We are hosting benjin (Dr Ben Pollock, formerly of Kent sociology and most recently Brighton University) – a multi-instrumentalist and scholar – for a hybrid lecture and performance built around the nyckelharpa, a Swedish folk instrument.
Tuesday 24th January 2023: My former colleague Prof Phil Hubbard (now Kings College London) will be returning to Kent to talk about his new book, Borderland: Identity and Belonging on the Edge of England, which includes work on Margate directly.
All information and booking details can be found on the TMS website or the Events page of this blog.
I’m hoping that we can begin to create a space for the art students to mix with sociology students (I have put out an invite to the students on my modules), and for interested residents of Margate to see what we are trying to do. Fingers crossed.