Rethinking Political Agency - The Place of the "I" in Politics

The Place of the "I" in Politics – Rethinking Political Agency
A Collaborative Workshop with Jess Mezo (PhD Researcher, University of Bath)

How do we find our place in the political life of our communities? What does it mean to exercise agency in a world where so many feel powerless? Join Jess Mezo, PhD researcher in Political Theory, Creative Methods, and Non-Violent Resistance Movements at the University of Bath, for a unique, collaborative workshop designed to help us rethink our roles in shaping political change.

This event is not a lecture, but a space for open dialogue and collective problem-solving. Bring your questions, your concerns, and your lived experiences. Together, we’ll explore the obstacles to meaningful political agency (both locally and nationally) and work towards practical, creative solutions. Drawing on insights from political theory and previous community workshops, Jess will guide the discussion with the help of Dr. Benoit Dillet, Senior Lecturer at the University of Bath, but the direction and outcomes will be shaped by you, the participants.

Whether you’re a student, an activist, or a curious member of the public, this workshop is for anyone interested in understanding and reclaiming their political power. We’ll discuss what empowered agency can look like, how art and joy can be tools for change, and how we might cultivate a culture of action in challenging times.

Come ready to share, reflect, and imagine new possibilities for political engagement because the future of our communities is far from determined and its trajectory depends on the voices and actions of us all.

All are welcome. No prior experience in political theory required - just an open mind and a willingness to participate.

Nibbles and refreshments provided. A limited number of bus passes (Bristol + Bath to Bristol for Bath residents) available for those on low incomes - please get in touch to request a ticket if applicable. We want to make sure that no one is excluded due to their financial circumstances.

Workshop Schedule:

• Doors open: 1.30 pm
• Nibbles, registration, getting comfortable: 2 pm
• Workshop starts: 2.15 pm

• Introductions (15 min):
  Introductions, outlining aims, and discussing expectations for the session.
• The Ties That Bind (20 min):
  Exploring the issue of political transformation today - Jess briefly introduces her research in context, referencing insights from previous workshops (e.g., regarding zones of disappearance, and the issue with visibility and power).
• Mapping Obstacles to Agency (30 min):
  Collaborative exercise to identify and map obstacles to meaningful political agency at the local and national level.
• Break 1 (10 min)
• Defining Agency (20 min):
  Group discussion on what agency means today and how we go about exercising it in real life. This is then contrasted with what agency would look like in a flourishing society, including its emotional dimensions and significance for both individuals and communities.
• Theorised Approaches to the Modern Condition (25 min):
  Expanding on the previous section, Jess introduces some of her findings on potential remedies for the modern condition, focusing on art- and joy-based methods to address crises of agency and political apathy. This is then discussed collaboratively.
• Break 2 (10 min)
• Reality is More Malleable Than it Seems (35–40 min):
• Revisiting and reflecting on key takeaways and questions so far, then tackling issues that matter to us on a local and/or national level. This block aims to reserve space for collaboratilvely workshopping practical solutions to real-life problems, as well as strategies for fostering a culture of empowered political action in our communities.
• What’s Next? (10–15 min):
  Discussing next steps, offering final reflections, and bringing the session to a close

• Post-Workshop social: 5.15 - 6.00 PM: participants are invited to stay and chat, organise, get to know their collaborators

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Jess Mezo - Doctoral Researcher at the University of Bath