Pandemic Portraits exhibition launch

Join us for the launch of ‘Pandemic Portraits’, a photovoice exhibition, hosted by ARISE, telling the stories of people with disabilities in Liberia and Bangladesh living through the COVID-19 pandemic. This project was funded by RSTMH and completed in collaboration with REDRESS, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine; the James P Grant School of Public Health, Bangladesh; and the National Union of Disabled, Liberia.

Date and time: Monday, 23 January 2023, 5.30 – 7.30pm

Location: Institute of Development Studies, Convening Space, Brighton, BN1 9RE

RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/arise-pandemic-portraits-exhibition-launch-tickets-511437753087

Please ensure you RSVP, for catering and accessibility purposes

The exhibition tells a visual story of the experiences of people with disabilities through their own eyes and words. Shahreen Chowdhury, a PhD researcher within the Social Science, Chronic Disease and Disability Unit at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine worked with co-researchers in Bangladesh and Liberia. Using photovoice as a creative participatory methodology, co-researchers took photographs to capture their lived experiences through their lens. The findings present themes relating to inaccessibility, social connection, barriers to healthcare as well as nature, community, and spaces of healing. Photovoice, through imagery and storytelling, has been a powerful tool in prioritising the voices of disabled people, adding to an evidence base to inform inclusive pandemic responses.

Short presentations will be followed by snacks and drinks, and the opportunity to view the exhibition and speak with the presenters, including Shahreen Chowdhury who undertook this research in partnership with Salma Akter Urme, Boakai A. Nyehn Jr, Heylove R. Mark Sr, and co-researchers.

Speakers:

  • Hayley MacGregor – Professorial Fellow, Institute of Development Studies
  • Shahreen Chowdhury – Research Assistant and PhD student, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
  • Boakai A. Nyehn Jr, Heylove R. Mark Sr and Salma Akter Urme – Co-researchers from National Union of Organizations for the Disabled Liberia and BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health
  • Stephen Thompson – Research Fellow, Institute of Development Studies
  • ARISE Disability Working Group member (speaker TBC)

Covid-19 protocol

The wearing of masks is voluntary, and we encourage those who would like to wear masks to do so. Surgical masks are available in many of the meeting rooms and from the reception counter. If you are planning to attend an event and would like to request that others wear a mask, you can either contact us in advance at cet@ids.ac.uk, or speak to an IDS representative on the day.

We also ask that when requested by colleagues or others in a meeting or event to wear a mask, please treat the request with respect and put a mask on.

If you are feeling unwell or have any Covid-19 symptoms, please do not come into the IDS building.