Gentle methodologies for pressured communities

This event is the launch of an exhibition of artwork and poetry co-curated by older women living on the Aquarius Estate in Hulme. It depicts the community’s contradictory experiences of feeling both visible and invisible living next to expanding universities and gentrification from the city centre. Led by local artist, author and playwright Anthea Cribbin, the artwork traverses the rich lives of the women and their histories and sentiments that are tied to the neighbourhood. The exhibition is a chance to raise awareness of the distinct pressures felt by those living on the Aquarius Estate – exploring themes of community, connection, vulnerability and change – from the perspectives of the older women themselves, in order to amplify their voices and celebrate the community.

The exhibition has emerged as part of a wider co-creation project led by community researcher and activist Tina Cribbin and academic researcher Niamh Kavanagh (both from the University of Manchester) that has been exploring how more equitable relationships can be sustained between the university and the neighbouring Hulme community.

This event will also reflect on how working with the art group over time has offered novel insight into methodological and ethical approaches for the ‘doing’ of research in communities like Hulme that face different precarities and challenges, emphasising slow and gentle ways of working together with creative approaches that nurture patience and trust.

This event will also include a creative writing session; a talk by community members explaining their art work, a panel discussion by research team explaining themes/learning from project, Q&A and some time to network.

This event is part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2025 and was made possible thanks to funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Host or Publisher ESRC Festival of Social Sciences 2025