The Research Group
Champions of Disability Activism in Bristol
Disability Activism Bristol was co-produced by a talented group of young Disabled individuals who formed the Research Group. Their dedication and hard work were central to the project’s success, enabling the preservation and sharing of important stories about Disability activism in Bristol.
Training and preparation
The Research Group members received specialised training to equip them for their roles:
- Oral History Training: Covered equipment usage, software, and interview techniques, ensuring they could capture high-quality recordings.
- Research Training: Focused on using archives, analysing primary and secondary sources, and conducting online research, providing them with the tools to dive deep into the history of Disability activism.
Adapting to challenges
The project faced unexpected changes when the Covid-19 pandemic began shortly after its start. The lockdowns meant the group had to shift to remote working, which brought both challenges and opportunities:
Barriers
Traditional in-person oral history interviews were no longer feasible because of the pandemic, requiring new approaches.
Opportunities
Remote working allowed participation from individuals who might otherwise have been unable to join the project.
Conducting the research
Despite these challenges, the Research Group successfully scripted and conducted their own oral history interviews with activists. They recorded the interviews via Zoom, carefully coded the transcripts to identify key themes and narratives, and developed stories from the interviews to showcase the history of Disability activism in Bristol. You can read more about the activists and their stories here.
Meet the Research Group Members
The members of the Research Group brought unique perspectives and skills to the project:
- Megan Belcher
- Sam Cornelius-Light
- Aaron Creese
- Cat McCartney-Kitson
- Yu-Chen Lin
- Will McCabe
- Sophie Rivers
- Charlie S
- Tegan Vincent-Cooke