The Open University
Yorkshire Region

Cultural Studies Research Forum
Reports and Abstracts 1995 -2000

introduction | contents

Introduction

The Cultural Studies Forum in the Yorkshire region was started in 1995. It has become an annual event over two days - one before Christmas and one after. Through the year, Arts and Social Science lecturers and personnel related to the Yorkshire regional office, are invited to attend and contribute to the meetings which consist of seven or eight presentations per day. Staff are invited to give a talk of approximately half an hour and to use the time in whatever way they wish. Some choose a formal presentation, some use different media and some begin a dialogue with the audience. The meetings have several benefits and can be used in a variety of ways. They provide a forum in which scholars in the region can exhibit and share their research. They offer a platform for researchers to test out their ideas and offer them up for challenge. They can be used as a source of feedback on putative projects. They can support staff in their professional development if they are intending to publish or make an important presentation. Indeed, several contributors have successfully used the Forum in their efforts to find research funding. The meetings are friendly and relaxed events in which colleagues share their interests without pressure. They also provide a chance for colleagues to catch up with each other and enjoy belonging to a community of scholars. Furthermore, colleagues get a chance to engage perspectives beyond their own disciplines.

Over the 5 years of the Forum, over 70 presentations have been made and the range and quality of contributions is astounding. This website is a response to the requests of the contributors for a record of the proceedings. All contributors were invited to provide an account of their talk in less than 250 words. For the 36 contributions presented here, no selection criteria was used, no pressure was applied and no uniformity of style was enforced.

Of the many projects I have been engaged in with the Open University, this has been one of the most inspiring. As organiser of the events I find that I don't have to cajole, bully or plead with staff to contribute. It really is like turning a tap on and out comes all this wonderful research and genuine interest. Several colleagues have said how refreshing it is to spend time with people who are genuinely interested in what they are doing, and have something to say.

The Forum is jointly funded by the Arts and Social Science faculties and is also supported by the Yorkshire region. Thanks must be extended to Peter K. Smith, Linda Walsh, Kath Woodward, Dave McGarvie, Janet Cooper, Lynne Mawson, and Barbara Gillespie all of whom have lent their kind support to the project. Most importantly the contributors and attenders at the meetings have been most generous in finding the time to create and sustain a rich forum for ideas.

John Issitt

Last updated May 2000