Beyond Words conference 2017

Tuesday 14 March 2017, 13.00–17.30 and Wednesday 15 March 2017, 9.30–17.00.
Rolle Building 605, University of Plymouth.

A posthuman world opens up the possibilities of being and belonging. This exciting international, multidisciplinary conference focuses on how communication happens beyond words, how the arts use the unspoken, and how those who face problems communicating with words (such as those with dementia, strokes, autism and learning difficulties) are valued and included across communities.

The conference will launch the final report of the Beyond Words research project between Plymouth Institute of Education and Plymouth Music Zone, one of only eight national projects funded by the Arts Council England Research Grants programme.

Speakers include:

Lemn Sissay MBE, Poet and Writer
Norma Daykin, Professor of Arts in Health, UWE and University of Winchester
Carol Taylor, Co-editor Posthuman Research Practices in Education.

Academics from across all disciplines, arts practitioners/organisations, community organisations and representatives from Education, Health and Social Work are all encouraged to take part.

Contributions include papers, symposia, workshops or performances.

The conference is organised under the following strands:

Music and other arts
Posthumanism
Equality and inclusion
Creativity and wellbeing

The conference costs £50 to attend (including registration, lunches and refreshments). Free places have been reserved for voluntary sector organisations and students on a first come first served basis. To book a place on this event, please visit the University eStore.

The conference is supported by Arts Council England and the Institute for Health and Community.

Speaker: Lemn Sissay MBE

Lemn Sissay MBE is the author of several books of poetry alongside articles, records, public art, and plays. He was the official poet for the London Olympics. His Landmark Poems are installed throughout Manchester and London in venues such as The Royal Festival Hall and The Olympic Park. Bishop Desmond Tutu unveiled his landmark poem Gilt of Cain. Lemn was official poet for The FA Cup 2015. His Desert Island Discs was pick of the year for BBC radio 4 2015. He is Chancellor of the University of Manchester. His life story is nothing short of incredible. Google “Lemn Sissay” and all the returning hits will be about him. There is only one Lemn Sissay in the world.

Beyond Words conference 2017

Thanks to all who attended, supported and participated in the Beyond Words Conference for making it such a vibrant and powerful event. Professor Jocey Quinn, from the Plymouth Institute of Education, who is leading the Beyond Words project said:

“The whole ethos of Beyond Words has been to find ways to give those who are regularly excluded from society a voice. This conference focused on that goal, generating a creative and collaborative atmosphere that fostered a series of innovative ideas aimed at helping those people. There are millions of post-verbal people living in the UK, and we hope that developing a better understanding of how they communicate will have a positive impact on them and on society as a whole.”