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

Whose Power? is a podcast that explores the power of participation and seeks to amplify the voices of young people to create new knowledge and understanding.

The podcast is a collaboration between Abigail Harrison Moore from the University of Leeds and The Preservative Party, a group of young curators at Leeds City Museum who empower young people to break down traditional barriers and influence the way museum exhibitions and events are curated and presented. Together they’ve been exploring how participation can help us better understand power, who has it, and how it’s used in different settings. Listen to Abigail explain what you can expect from this inspiring podcast series! Episode 1 drops July 11.

• Read a transcript of the series trailer

Series credits

Presenter: Abigail Harrison Moore, University of Leeds

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: Andy Lord Photography