In this episode, Clare and Jesse explore the thorny issue of class, and what impact this has on studying photography at degree level and beyond, in the context of rising tuition fees, the cost-of-living crisis, the decrease in government funding for art education, and the diminishing emphasis upon art and literature within compulsory education in the UK. They are joined by documentary photographer, artist and educator, Kelly O’Brienand Dr. Vanessa Corby, Professor of the Theory, History and Practice of Fine Art at York St John University.
PhotoPhone theme © Michael James @MichaelJamesUK
Photo © Melane Uhkoette @Mel.MelanieUhkoetter
Further reading discussed in the episode (in order of appearance):
ORIAN, Brook et al. 2023. ‘Social Mobility and ‘Openness’ in Creative Occupations since the 1970s’. Sociology, 57 (4), 789-810.
SHILLIAM, Robbie. 2018. Race and the Undeserving Poor. Newcastle upon Tyne: Agenda Publishing.
FEMI, Caleb. 2020. Poor. Harpenden: Penguin.
BROWN, Jessica. 2024. Underclass: A Memoir. London: Little, Brown.
HOOKS, Bell. 2000. Where We Stand: Class Matters. New York: Routledge.
CREW, Teresa. 2020. Higher Education and Working-Class Academics: Precarity and Diversity in Academia. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature.
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