A stunning photo of the Morecambe Bay sunset will be part of the exhibition. This is called A Sunset over Heysham. (C) Participant SSWS05. Courtesy of Seasights.
Photographs taken by young people - including one of a stunning sunset in Morecambe - will go on display at the British Academy in London.
The two special photo exhibitions are part of a Lancaster University research project designed to give young people a voice and visibility in coastal and marine decision-making.
One of the images, taken by a young local photographer, depicts a beautiful sunset over Heysham.
Another is 'Child on seat: Enjoying the view and sunset from Jenny Brown's Point, Silverdale.
See the photo below. (Credit: Participant SSWS02. Courtesy of Seasights.)
‘SeaSights: Deprived Seaside Towns and the Blue Economy’ investigates how oceans, coastal communities, and young people’s voices are often neglected in decision-making.
Through photography, the project empowered young people from England’s north west coast to share their perspectives on local economic developments.
Instead of sitting down with the young people and ‘interviewing’ them traditionally, the research team used Photovoice, a recognised and innovative method for gathering community-based research, which encouraged participants to document their own engagement and experiences.
Research partners, including More Music, Morecambe; The Bay: A Blueprint for Recovery, Morecambe; Morecambe Bay Academy and Ripley St Thomas Church of England Academy in Lancaster facilitated recruitment of participants and Photovoice projects.
Some 30 young people, aged between 13 and 19 living in Morecambe, Lancaster, Blackpool and Barrow-in-Furness, took part, and were invited to take pictures with a specific brief – to capture elements of the seaside that mattered to them.
The research team then met the young people in groups to discuss the pictures they had taken, what they represented, their significance and what should be done (and by whom) to preserve or alter those places.
Discussions revealed the young people valued the seaside, associating it with beauty, leisure, and contact with nature.
All participants said that they could not envisage living away from the coast.
However, they also felt they were not at the centre of the decisions which was reflected in the lack of facilities and entertainment, they said, available to them, both along the coast and in towns, especially in disadvantaged areas.
They called for regular, sustained contact and talks between local authorities and young people to ensure their views were considered.
The project also highlighted how creative tools could be used by stakeholders to engage with and include young people in their decisions.
The scheme is a British Academy and Leverhulme Trust-funded project, led by Dr Celine Germond-Duret, of the University’s new School of Global Affairs.
“This is very much about the importance of arts in connecting young people to the blue space," said Dr Germond-Duret.
“Any form of arts, photography, painting, sketching are important to invite young people to explore connections with the blue space, and what matters to them.
“Arts could serve as a bridge between young people and other stakeholders, including decision makers.”
The work will go on show at the British Academy when it opens its Grade 1 Listed building as part of the Open House historical building festival in London on Sunday September 21 and will also be seen in October as part of amini festival celebrating 'Living with Nature'.
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