Uncertain Futures a finalist in the Manchester Culture Awards

Uncertain Futures, a collaborative arts and research project, involving Manchester Metropolitan University, has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Manchester Culture Awards.

The project, which has been shortlisted in the Promotion of Equality and Social Justice category, explores challenges facing women aged 50 and over in relation to work in Manchester, focusing on age, gender, race, disability and class. It aims to expose inequalities and make recommendations to change social and legal policy.

Dr Sarah Campbell, Senior Lecturer in Integrated Health and Social Care at Manchester Met, alongside Dr Elaine Dewhurst, Senior Lecturer in Law at The University of Manchester, have interviewed 100 women – aged over 50 and from all walks of life – as part of the exhibition at Manchester Art Gallery.

The interviews focus on their experiences of both paid and unpaid work in Manchester, including access to and leaving employment. This formed part of the first iteration with extracts of these conversations displayed through sound and wall art at the Gallery.

The project is now in its second iteration at Manchester Art Gallery, which reveals the development of Uncertain Futures and the initial research findings which are based around four themes: the circumstances that influence decision making in women’s lives, the choices and opportunities available (or indeed not available) to them. recognition of their contributions and endurance and experiences of discrimination and inequalities. The project will publish a final research report in Spring 2023.

The project is led by American artist Suzanne Lacy, Communities Learning Manager Ruth Edson at Manchester Metropolitan University and The University of Manchester alongside an advisory group of 14 Manchester women aged over 50.

Dr Campbell, said:”Being shortlisted for this award, and in particular this category is wonderful recognition for the work. It is also important recognition of the inspiring and diverse group of Manchester women who are the advisory committee. We have built strong relationships as a project team that have enabled a truly collaborative piece of work and where our desire for equality and social justice has been the driving force for the project”. 

Manchester Culture Awards are organised by Manchester City Council, celebrating the people, organisations and groups that made a creative buzz in Manchester over the previous year.