THIS LAND

Sinclair, Jeanie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9823-7235, Lynham, Ann, Yates, Stephen, Bennett, Catherine, Kelly, Jacquie, Chambers, Jess, Morris, Stuart, Crew, Sarah, Piddock, Penny, Harvey, Andrew, Irvine, Scott, Samsworth, Mark and Christmas, Steve (2023) THIS LAND. [Project]

	Image (THIS LAND final research report) maxresdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCIAKENAF8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-CYAC0AWKAgwIABABGGUgVShLMA8=&rs=AOn4CLAuz5MaHfIX73DIv3Bw6r2rGLk6mQ - Supplemental Material Download (53kB)
	Text (Community Co-produced Research Report) 20230723_THISLAND_FinalReport.docx Download (28MB)
Preview	Text (THIS LAND Newspaper) This-land-Edition-01.pdf Available under License Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication. Download (3MB) | Preview
Preview	Video (Video summary of THIS LAND project) This Land - b-side festival 2023.mp4 Download (35MB) | Preview

Abstract / Summary

THIS LAND was a two-year National Heritage Lottery Funded project with b-side projects on the Isle of Portland. The project looked at two fragile, at-risk sites, a 17th century house on Brandy Row in Chiswell, and the unique landscape of Portland south of the Bill. This research aligned with my research into the history and heritage of place, drawing parallels with my PhD research, as well as using my skills in community co-designed and partipatory projects.
Participatory research was central to the project, and a number of research events and workshops brought participants together to develop their ideas and learn research skills. Outcomes included practice-based ceramics work; a history of prison farms; a history of archaeology on the Bill; a history of women farmers; oral histories of beach huts; and extensive work on the island’s unique ecology.
The THIS LAND community research project by b-side projects has had a significant impact by fostering local engagement, amplifying community voices, and influencing discussions on land use, heritage, and ownership. Through creative and participatory research methods, the project has enabled residents to share their perspectives on the cultural and environmental significance of their surroundings. The community co-produced research report was used as the basis for creative work by artists including Heinrich and Palmer, Kneed, and Wildworks produced for the b-side festival 2023, as well as being used to generate discussion about, and advocate for, the futures of these two special places.

Key impacts include:
• Community Empowerment: Encouraging local people to contribute to research and decision-making about place and community.
• Policy and Awareness: Informing local authorities, organizations, and wider audiences about community concerns and aspirations regarding land and heritage.
• Artistic and Cultural Influence: Using creative approaches to communicate research findings, making them more accessible and engaging.
• Long-term Engagement: Creating lasting conversations and networks around land-related issues, strengthening local identity and advocacy.

THIS LAND has deepened public understanding of place-based issues while inspiring action and dialogue through creative community-driven research.
My role, as community research facilitator, was to develop and run workshops to train participants in research skills, including archives and oral history. I supported the partipants to produce their research for the final report. I also developed and ran community events, contributed to a This Land newspaper publication, and carried out original research for the introduction in the final research report, as well as editing the final report.

Item Type:	Project
Uncontrolled Keywords:	video, sharing, camera phone, video phone, free, upload
Subjects:	Art History & Theory History, Geography & Environment Research
Courses by Department:	The Falmouth School of Art
Depositing User:	Jeanie Sinclair
Date Deposited:	31 Mar 2025 14:38
Last Modified:	31 Mar 2025 14:38
URI:	https://repository.falmouth.ac.uk/id/eprint/5981

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