Lovability Research Cluster

Lovability is grounded in Art and/or Design Practice but welcomes collaboration with researchers in other fields across the humanities and sciences. All our projects align with the University's academic theme of Creative Industries and often others in addition, such as Biological and Clinical Sciences and Zero Carbon.

Our aims

The Lovability Research Cluster aims to contribute to interdisciplinary research in the arts and humanities through critically informed arts practice. Through our research, we focus on promoting equality, diversity, inclusion and social justice at local, national and global levels.

We work to facilitate and support participatory arts practice to illuminate and challenge social assumptions, and to support the diversity that underpins innovation and new knowledge.

Research Cluster Lead

Christine smiling
Dr Christine Parker

Christine Parker is an Associate Professor of Art Practice. This means her writing and directing for the screen has achieved international reach and recognition.

Research Cluster Team

Our research

More recently, have we begun a study exploring arts participation with visually impaired people. 

Dr Christine Parker is a member of the British Academy Innovation Fellowship (BAIF) Steering Group, focusing on innovation within the British film industry. The aim is to promote the inclusion of disabled and neurodiverse people in the industry, particularly in screenwriting.

The Carer

The Carer is a short narrative film commissioned for the Shine a Light series (funded by Derby QUAD and the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation.) Writer-director Christine Parker worked with members of Seen Ya Rights, a group of elderly LGBTQ activists, collecting primary research through informal interviews and discussions via focus groups, the process of which was documented via video. 

The underpinning research informed The Carer by responding to concerns and experiences of ageing and sexuality within a care home, and contributed to critical discourse in the field of elder LGBTQ rights. The Carer debuted at the Palm Springs International Film Festival in 2016. It won eight international awards including an Award of Excellence, a Humanitarian Award of Distinction from US-based Best Shorts Competition and the Premio Labor 2017 Award from Festival Internazionale Immagine d’Autore.

The Carer was also shortlisted for The Iris Prize's Best British Short Film. Winning a special commendation, it toured UK cinemas in ‘The Best of Iris’ in 2017. Long-listed for a BAFTA, the film has screened at festivals around the world from Oscar-qualifying Edmonton ISFF to The Shropshire Rainbow Film Festival where it won the Best Film and the Audience Award.

Watch The Carer on Vimeo

A Woman's World

What happens in the daily life of a woman in a DAC nation? What challenges do they face; what delights do they encounter?

This artistic research project captures the daily activities of young women living in Mexico or of Mexican descent. The video tells the story of a month that is normal, domestic, and part of the personal and every day for these women.

Watch A Woman's World on Vimeo

Join us

If you are interested in our research, want to join our research cluster or are considering applying for a PhD in this area, please email Dr Christine Parker for more information.

Exhibitions