APC programme fine-tuned
The assessment revealed that we enjoyed particular success in the area of research development, notably in developing the capacities of emerging scholars, in stimulating and challenging veteran researchers, and in the fostering of cross-disciplinary insights and ways of working. Flowing from this, APC Honorary Research Associate Dr Jacqueline Maingard (Bristol U) and NRF Chair, Carolyn Hamilton, worked up a paper on post-graduate research development, with a particular focus on the contribution of practice-based research to cross-disciplinary and explicitly postcolonial research, which they presented at a conference, where it excited considerable interest. It will be presented to the APC as soon as an opportunity arises.These exercises in reflection on the Initiative's methods underlie changes in the programme. Specifically, the APC is fine-tuning its operation to ensure that it does not turn into a centre or an institute with general objectives, and that it remains focused on the twin objectives: delivering innovative research within a single focus area, that of archive and public culture, and fostering research development, especially of graduate students.
Research Labs
The APC offers regular 'Research Labs', which take place at lunchtime on Thursdays, and are open to all APC associates, and guests as appropriate, both as opportunities to present work and to attend. They are not public events. The 'Research Labs' offer a slot for a single piece of work-in-progress to receive the kind of research development attention that the Workshops have been so successful in delivering. Papers will be circulated in advance and taken as read. We recognise that a draft thesis, and the occasional draft book, is a big read but feel that it presents an occasion to see, in practice, manuscripts in development. Among other things, we are keen to use this as a supervision-modeling occasion. But whole manuscripts are the exception. We welcome proposals, draft chapters, and early stage papers. Occasionally the Research Labs will be focused on a set of readings on a theme. Anyone is free to propose and organise a reading Lab. We endeavour to cover key new books relevant to our field of enquiry. The Research Labs are co-ordinated by APC senior researcher, Dr Anette Hoffman. Any associate who wishes to present should contact her directly: anetteh3@gmail.com.
Special Events
From time to time we hold special events focused on work that is relevant to our field of enquiry. Our first special event for 2014 was a launch of 'Afterlives' - an issue of the online journal Darkmatter.