Thank you for your interest in taking part in Beyond the Binary at the University of Kent. This page provides more information on the project so that you can make an informed choice on whether to take part. Once you have read the information you can register as a volunteer by downloading, completing and sending us your registration and consent form.
What is Beyond the Binary?
Beyond the Binary is a collaborative research project in which academic and voluntary public researchers will work together to unearth the histories of gender play and presentation currently lying unexplored in the University of Kent’s music hall and pantomime collections.
Together we will ask and answer the following questions:
- What can historic performances of music hall and pantomime tell us about attitudes towards gender and gender expression in the past?
- How can new knowledge around this inform understanding, discussion and exploration of gender diversity today?
Who can take part?
We are inviting anyone interested in the project to take part. We welcome people of all ages, backgrounds and ethnicities who are interested in questions of gender, and/or who identify as LGBTQ+, queer, genderfluid, gender-diverse, trans, or non-binary. Places on the project will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Participation is entirely voluntary and you can withdraw at any point, by emailing Beyondthebinary@kent.ac.uk.
We have both a virtual and in-person team, making the project accessible to all.
Participation in our in-person team is available to anyone who can travel to the University of Kent Special Collections archives on weekdays. The in-person team will primarily be uncovering the archival materials and working with our archivist and digitization technician to produce digital copies.
Participation in our virtual team is available to anyone who has access to a computer, irrespective of location. You can undertake the research in your own home or using computers at local libraries. The virtual research team will primarily focus on uncovering the histories of performers and performances, including drawing on information from the digitized archival materials. Access to digital resources such as the British Newspaper Archive will be provided by the project.
What commitment is needed?
The research will take place between April and July 2022.
We will run an in-person and virtual induction and training session for all researchers on the project. Following this, participation is flexible, but in general we anticipate:
- In-person researchers to contribute a maximum of 1 day a week over 16 weeks, or 16 days in total.
- Virtual researchers to contribute over the 16-week period at a rate that suits them.
In addition, there will be three group workshops (three virtual, three in-person) where we invite participants to come together to discuss and share findings. These workshops will also be an opportunity to contribute to the work of the performance group who will be developing a performance based on the findings from the project. Dates for all workshops are available here.
How is the project funded and approved?
The project is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. It has been approved by the University of Kent’s Research Ethics Advisory Group.
What about inclusion?
It is important to us that this project is inclusive and open to all people interested in and with direct lived experience of the themes. We are aware of wider challenges in discussion of gender diversity and representation. We will therefore be following guidance provided by the WeRise.org toolkit to ensure that all participants feel welcome and can contribute equally. Whilst the main focus of the project is historic performance, we are aware that discussion may develop around wider contemporary issues. We ask that all participants to listen to each other respectfully, acknowledge different viewpoints and experiences, and are open to learning from each other.
What do participants get from taking part?
By being part of this project, you have an opportunity to gain new skills in research, develop new knowledge of history and performance, and to meet new people, perhaps even from across the world. You will also be making an important contribution to shaping a new piece of performance which we hope will go on to tour to multiple venues in the UK.
What about data?
The only data we will store is your name, email and phone number. This is for the purpose of contacting you about the project, and undertaking evaluation. These details will only be retained for the duration of the project (to 31 December 2022) and will be deleted after this.
Who can I contact for more information or to withdraw?
To find out more, for any questions or complaints, or to withdraw from the project please contact the project lead, Helen Brooks via the project email beyondthebinary@kent.ac.uk. You can withdraw at any time without consequences.
What about other recordings and documentation?
We will be taking photos of the research process and recording for a potential documentary. If you do not want to be featured in this material, you can refuse to consent when you complete the consent form. Refusing to consent will not impact on your participation or inclusion in any other part of the project.
What are the outcomes of the project?
The immediate outcomes of the project are a performance, developed and performed by the Lunatraktors, Olly Double and Mark Thomas; a pop-up exhibition; and a workshop to take place at the Beaney House of Art and Knowledge, Canterbury. There may also be academic publications exploring the work and process. Your contribution to these outcomes will be acknowledged and you can choose whether you want your name to be included or to be anonymised.
Who can I contact about complaints or concerns relating to the project.
If you have concerns or complaints about the project and do not wish to address these directly with the project lead, Helen Brooks (h.e.m.brooks@kent.ac.uk) you can contact Sophie Quirk, Director of Research, School of Arts, University of Kent (s.quirk@kent.ac.uk).
How do I register to take part?
If you would like to register as a volunteer on the project please email beyondthebinary@kent.ac.uk before 20 April.