In Episode 1 of Whose Power? we find out how and why Professor Abigail Harrison Moore from the University of Leeds started researching histories of women and energy in the home with an inspiring group of young curators based at Leeds City Museum.

Abigail is joined by Esther Amis-Hughes, Community Engagement Manager at Leeds City Museum who set up the Preservative Party 13 years ago. She's also joined by Youth Engagement Curator Jordan Keighley, an original member of the group, now its facilitator.

Together they discuss how the group is working to empower young people to break down traditional barriers to influence and drive the way museum exhibitions are curated and presented, what participating in academic research means to them, what barriers and challenges they have faced along the way, and how they have helped to create new knowledge and bring about meaningful change in the sector with and for the young people they support.

Further reading

• Read a full transcript of the episode

• Empowering Women; Co-producing Histories of Women and Energy in the Home (AHRC funding page)

• Open minds with the Preservative Party (Blog)

Episode credits

Presenter: Abigail Harrison Moore, University of Leeds

Guests: Jordan Keighley and Esther Amis-Hughes, Leeds City Museum

Producer: Chris Garrington, Research Podcasts

Studio and sound: Kerr Hunter and Alex Neish, Helix, University of Leeds

Music: Aura, by Tae, Preservative Party

Artwork and graphics: Preservative Party with Krissie Brighty-Glover, Research Podcasts

Photography: Andrew Lord