As part of DaDaFest's 40th International Festival, a roundtable brought together five artists to explore how creative methods can help shape better futures for people with energy-limiting conditions (ELCs).
This discussion was part of a research project led by Bethan Evans, Professor in Human Geography at the University of Liverpool, in collaboration with Dr Morag Rose, University of Liverpool), Dr Ana Bê Pereira, from Liverpool Hope University and a team of independent researchers and artists.
The team researched the challenges people with ELCs face in accessing supportive health and social care and possible routes to better care in the future. The project was one of 10 funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the NHS.
The roundtable discussion, facilitated by Dr. Morag Rose, examined how creative workshops can contribute to research and ways to make the creative research process as accessible as possible. The participating artists were Khizra Ahmed, Khairani Barokka (Okka), Julian Gray, Mish Green, and Louise Kenward.
Creative Workshops
The project builds on earlier research by the team, in collaboration with Chronic Illness Inclusion, which highlighted the harm caused when medical professionals dismiss or disbelieve the experiences of people living with ELCs.
To explore creative solutions, online workshops were facilitated for Muslim women, LGBTQIA+ people, and people of marginalized genders, including cis and trans women, trans men, non-binary, intersex, and gender nonconforming people with ELC.
Workshops included zine-making, creative writing, fairytale storytelling, drawing, collage, and mixed-media. They were designed to be accessible for people with ELCs, with asynchronous options to ensure broader participation. Each workshop was led by creative practitioners and artists using a participatory approach, allowing each group to co-produce creative work that reflected their experiences and hopes for the future.
At the roundtable, the artists shared reflections on the research process and presented the work they created, which includes zines, podcasts, stories, comics, animations, and creative non-fiction.
Professor Evans said: "This project brought together artists and people with ELCs to explore through creative methods ways to better support people with ELCs. The project itself was designed with accessibility for people with ELCs at the heart of it, and we're delighted to have been able to work with DaDa as part of their international festival to share the art work and artists' expertise and experiences of working on the project and creating accessible workshops."
The research team and partners
The project involved:
- Professor Bethan Evans, University of Liverpool
- Dr Morag Rose, University of Liverpool
- Dr Ana Bê Pereira, Liverpool Hope University
- Chronic Illness Inclusion
- Dr Stephanie Davis, Healing Justice London
- Independent researchers Dr. Aaliyah Shaikh, Dr. Alison Allam, and Dr. Anna Ruddock, all of whom have personal experiences of disability or chronic illness.
- Lantern Initiative
DaDaFest and Further Opportunities
The roundtable discussion was part of Ignite, DaDa's artist development programme, aimed at helping participants reconnect with their creativity. It was also a special feature of DaDaFest International 40.
The workshop was funded by The University of Liverpool IAA Fund in collaboration with DaDa.
There is also an online exhibition of the creative work from the project featured as part of DaDaFest's international festival, available here: https://dadafestinternational.github.io/ELC/ Creative work is available in a range of formats, including BSL translations and audio description to ensure accessibility.
About Energy-Limiting Conditions (ELCs)
ELCs, also known as Energy-Limiting Chronic Illnesses (ELCIs), include neurological, musculoskeletal, and autoimmune diseases such as ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and Long Covid, amongst others. These conditions cause energy impairment and debilitating fatigue, affecting every aspect of daily life.
