The newly formed Disability Research Centre (DRC) at Goldsmiths College in New Cross is officially launching this week with a debate entitled, “Disability and Austerity”. We caught up with one of its co-directors, Professor Rob Imrie to find out more about the new centre and its work.
LDC Can you tell us what the aim of the centre is and how you hope to achieve that aim?
RI:The mission of the DRC is to highlight both the ordinariness and the relative invisibility of disability. This is done by conducting high quality interdisciplinary research and promoting research-led teaching around disability, social inclusion, mental health and well-being, special educational needs and school inclusion, sensory experience and environment, and culture and creative production.
LDC: Can you give us a few examples?
RI: It will mean looking into how disability is seen in popular culture for example, or particularly in these economically turbulent times, researching the effect of government policy on disabled people. This is done through lectures, exhibitions, theatre performances and much more.
LDC: Another example would be the launch event then?
RI: That’s right. it’s a public debate on the most pressing issue of the day for disabled people, welfare cutbacks and retrenchment. It will be followed by a drinks reception, is free and open to everyone but you have to register. Follow the link for more details.
LDC: It’s great to have a centre like this open up locally. How can local disabled people get involved with your work?
RI: Follow us on Facebook, come to our events. We want to challenge ways of thinking about, seeing and understanding disability. Our hope is that the DRC will become a local focal point for this vital work.
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