#r3fest 2014 FORERUNNERS:
UCL Anthropology, London, UK. ‘I am Graduate Tutor here. I teach, research and supervise in areas of risk, power and uncertainty, as well as cosmos, cosmology and society.’
Reader, School of Sport and Exercise Science, College of Social Science, UK. ‘A qualitative sociologist and a graduate of the University of Warwick (Sociology) and of the University of South Wales (PhD Sociology), I have over 30 years’ experience of working in UK universities. Having worked previously at the Universities of Lancaster, Bath, Exeter, I took up the post of Reader in the School in October 2012, from the University of Bath where I was Director of Studies for Sport & Social Sciences. My principal research interests cohere around the sociology of the body; embodiment and the senses; health and wellbeing; identity and identity work; sociological & feminist phenomenology; autoethnographic & autophenomenographic approaches. I enjoy (mostly!) grappling with the sometimes uneasy nexus of sociology and phenomenology.’
MSc Digital Library Management student, University of Sheffield, UK. ‘I am an activist, writer, performer (Radio 4, Glastonbury), musician (Radio 1, Latitude, Wireless), producer and gadget freak. My interests include sprinting, Open Access, repositories, accessibility, interoperability, digital libraries and information-seeking behaviour.’
Andrew Barnfield, Dr
My background is rooted within the social sciences. My primary area of expertise is in Human Geography. In particular my interests are associated with the interrelations of moving bodies and space, and how these develop novel experiences, affectual intensities and all sorts of interactions within cities. My PhD research at University College London (UCL) examined typologies of movement within professional sport exploring themes of affect, corporeality, refrains, and materiality in elite association football. My interest in (moving) bodies has developed to include questions of physical activity and public health policy within cities, primarily in the form of recreational running clubs and post-socialist urbanism. Running provides a democratic and ubiquitous activity to engage with practices of physical health, while at the same time challenging the notions that cities are sites of alienation and decline. In order to answer these questions I primarily implement qualitative research methodologies. These include participant observation, ethnographic studies, in-depth interviews, focus groups, and go-along methods.
Blaž Bajič, Mr
Department of Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology, Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana. ‘I am a PhD student in cultural anthropology, an avid music listener and an occasional runner.’
Nick Booth, Mr
Curator, Teaching and Research. UCL London, UK. ‘I am a curator with UCL Museums and help to look after the Teaching and Research Collections (those without museum spaces). My main responsibility is the Science and Engineering Collections. I’ve run a couple of marathons, and a few shorter races, and I’m thinking about doing my first ultra next year (!).’
Collectif Totem: Territoire, Temps, Expérimentation, Mobilités
Mr Romain Bérard, Mr Sami Ramzi Chibane and Mr Florent Cholat, Geographers from the University of Grenoble, France, and Mr Luca Daconto, Sociologist, University of Milano, Italy. ‘We are a group which gathers researchers in the fields of Geography, Sociology, Planning and Architecture. We aim to develop and experience new viewpoints, tools and methodologies related to the issues of territories, times and mobilities.’
Susie Chan, Ms
UCL London, UK.
Royal Holloway University of London, UK. I am a geographer and a runner who studies the geographies of running. Based at in the Social & Cultural Research Group at RHUL, my PhD seeks to explore the movements, meanings and experiences of running
I am an artist and Course Leader for the MA Fine Art and MA Printmaking at Cambridge School of Art, Anglia Ruskin University. I completed my PhD at Goldsmiths College in 2012. In recent work I have used mobile camera technologies to transmit and record my eyeview/s, whilst performing long distance runs in the outside environment.
University of Kent, London/Kent, UK. ‘I work at the University of Kent and live in London. I have published widely on nineteenth-century literature. I am currently working on a running book, Footnotes, to be published in 2016.’
Paul Faulkner, Dr
Senior Lecturer, Philosophy, University of Sheffield. ‘After completing my PhD at UCL, I have been a member of the Philosophy Department at Sheffield since 2001. I was a keen runner in my youth and am one again in my middle age (when my ageing body allows me).’
European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter, UK. ‘I’m an “oh so nearly there PhD” who loves to run. In London it was on the road, up north it was over the fell and way out west it was coastal. From 6k to 60miles this lassie is not fussy. My terrain of preference is coastal/countryside/mountain, but it’s the motion that flicks my switch and I’ll take whatever’s on offer!’
Lecturer in Theatre, Drama and Performance, Aberystwyth University. I’m an academic interested in issues of place, space, and location in contemporary theatre and performance; the multiple sites of encounter between between performance and architecture; and the performance of running.
Devon, UK. ‘I am an editor at the Guardian and a freelance journalist, writing regular features for the Guardian, the Independent and Runner’s World. I am a former junior county cross-country runner and recently won a 10k in Exeter, Devon, where my family and I usually live.’
London UK. ‘I founded GoodGym in 2009 and I am a 2012 Clore Social Fellow. Previously I was Creative Director at design agency thinkpublic and lead projects increasing public participation for Local Authorities and NHS Trusts. I have consulted and advised on user participation for technology startups in UK and US. In 2008, I directed the documentary film Us Now, an exploration of participatory culture. The film has been broadcast around the world, including Channel 4 in the UK, translated into 24 languages and watched by millions online. I have presented my work to governments worldwide including the French National Assembly, The Hague, the European Union, The Houses of Parliament (UK) and Washington DC. I presented to the House of Lords Information Committee in 2009 and spoke at the World Congress on Information Technology in 2010. At Goodgym, I support the coordinators with the running of the project and am working on expanding and sustaining the project as a whole. GoodGym arose out of a frustration with normal gyms being a waste of energy and human potential. After a year or so of thinking, testing and developing ideas the project was submitted to Social Innovation Camp in December 2008. The project was rapidly developed by a wonderful team of people and won first prize. Following this, GoodGym grew a steering group and put together a pilot project to prove the concept and its potential impact in Tower Hamlets. In Septemper 2009 we formed as a Company Limited by Guarantee (a not-for-profit company) and in Autumn 2010 GoodGym was part of the first iteration of Bethnal Green Ventures. We’ve sort of been following the lean startup methodology, continually working on improvements to what we do. From January 2012, we worked with the London Legacy Development Company to expand the project to the boroughs surrounding the Olympic Park, and are now working with Nesta to develop our platform, to improve the experience of our members and to expand to new areas. In 2012 we also created GoodGym Open which launched in Liverpool. 2013 has seen us expand to Camden and launch a new GoodGym Open in Bristol. We rely on donations from our runners to cover our costs and our work preventing loneliness and isolation, and promoting fitness, is commissioned by local authorities and the NHS. We aim to launch a further 8 branches by the end of 2014.’
Bentham Project, London, UCL, UK. ‘I am a Research Associate at the Bentham Project in the Faculty of Laws at UCL. A historian by training, I currently work on the award-winning Transcribe Bentham project and the EU-funded tranScriptorium initiative, both of which aim to engage the public in the online transcription of the philosopher Jeremy Bentham’s manuscripts. I ran the 2014 London Marathon.’
Cardiff, UK. ‘I am a design engineer for award winning company, Omlet. The rest of the time I breathe technological life into playful and imaginative projects, regularly collaborating with illustrator Amelia Johnstone.’
Senior Lecturer in Human Geography, UCL. London, UK. ‘After graduation, I briefly worked in advertising before returning to human geography. Since then I have undertaken a number of projects concerned with the experience of organisation of everyday life and what they tell us about how societies could be encouraged to live in happier and more sustainable ways.’
Cardiff School of Art and Design & Cardiff School of Sport, UK. ‘I am a performance illustrator and Illustration lecturer in Cardiff. I am excited by the possibilities for illustration in new contexts and Run to Draw is the focus for my up coming doctoral research.’
Consultant in sport and exercise medicine and Principal Clinical Teaching Fellow at the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health at UCL where he is co-lead on the Sports Medicine, Exercise and Health MSc programme. London, UK. ‘I am the medical director of the London Triathlon, the Blenheim Triathlon and London’s “Run To The Beat” half-marathon, and assistant medical director of the London Marathon. I am a consultant sports physician with the English Institute of Sport and Harlequins Rugby Club in the Aviva Premiership. I have worked with Team GB at the European Athletics Championships, Winter Paralympics holding camp and the World University Games. During the London Olympics and Paralympics I volunteered as a sports doctor working ring-side in taekwondo and at the polyclinic in the Athlete’s Village. I have worked with a variety of other teams and sports including skiing, gymnastics, football and martial arts.’
Senior Lecturer, UCL Department of Geography, London, UK. Founder and Curator of #r3fest with Kai Syng Tan. ‘I have been doing research on running for a number of years. I am currently working on a book on the history of running and aerobic exercise.’
Reader, School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow. ‘In my research, I explore the social history of geographical ideas and topographic cultures. My attentions focus on the not-too-distant past and the almost-present, considering the geographical dimensions of a series of themes: landscape, nature, fieldwork, science, memory, mobility and biography. Some of these themes featured in two series of essays (‘The Naturalists’ and ‘Running the World’) broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in 2009 and 2010.’
UCL Department of Geography, London, UK. ‘I work in the Environmental Change Research Centre and the Palaeoclimate Research Group within the Department of Geography at UCL, one of the world’s leading universities. I teach at all levels of the curriculum, including undergraduates, MSc and PhD students. I am currently Vice-Dean for Research in the Faculty of Social and Historical Sciences. I have authored and co-authored over 80 peer-reviewed articles and have been PI on 28 projects.’
PhD CSM. London UK. ‘I am an artist working and living in London from Canada. I completed my MFA at Slade 2006 and I have recently submitted my practice-based PhD thesis at Central Saint Martins UAL. Although training for marathons and ultramarathons has always occurred alongside my art practice, it was not until my third year of this research that I became aware of potential connections between running and drawing. I have since realised how relevant my early runs across the landscape in Canada were to my research, and I began to develop a practice that engaged processes and methods relevant to an investigation into running as drawing.’
Associate Professor in Human Geography, Fellow of Mansfield College, Oxford University. Derek’s work centres on the development of a form of conceptually informed empiricism that explores the way in which affectivity participates in the matter and meaning of lived experience. His writing has appeared in major geography journals including Annals of the Association American Geographers, Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, Progress in Human Geography, and Environment and Planning D: Society and Space. His work has been funded by the British Academy, the World Universities Network (WUN) and the Geography Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES) network. He has been a visiting researcher at the Universities of Oslo and Bergen, and has given invited presentations at a range of major universities. Reflecting his particular commitment to interdisciplinary research, Derek has been involved in a number of practice and performance based events with artists, performers, and philosophers.
Performance Artist and Artistic Associate of Aphids. ‘I am a performance artist who works with the grand and the ridiculous. I am passionate about connecting community, audience and artists together in events that transcend the everyday. One day I will collaborate with Grace Jones.’
BA Drama and Theatre. Aberystwyth University, Wales, UK. ‘I run (to come) back to myself but to quote my friend: the only thing I find myself doing consistently during a run, is planning my meal after the run. I live for friends and family and running and art and food and dogs and coffee make me able to do that.’
PhD UCL Anthropology, London, UK. ‘My research focuses on the phylogenetic relationships of primates, specifically strepsirrhines. Investigating if/ how the shape of the cranium is indicative of genetic relationships in extant species; using 3D geometric morphometric analysis. This knowledge can then be extrapolated to help infer relationships within the fossil record. I also examine the effect of geographic location and environmental conditions on the shape of the skull, in the hope of identifying some of the factors which have induced the vast amount of anatomical variation within the primate order.’
London, UK. ‘I was born and raised in Rome, and have been living in London since 2007. I’m currently working at Banyak Films. I directs, shoot and edit documentaries and factual video for the folks at Al-Jazeera English, BBC2, Channel 4, The Economist and more. I also perform as a musician with The Nightcaps and Santa Mozzarella.’
Paleoanthropologist. UCL Department of Anthropology. ‘My research focuses on the analysis of teeth and bones to answer questions about the growth and development, diet, taxonomy and evolutionary history of living and extinct primates, including fossil hominins. Specifically, I am interested in taxonomic diversity and evolutionary history of humans and apes, dental tissue development in the present and past, and form/function relationships in the primate skeleton.’
Simon&Volley
Slade School of Fine Art, UCL, London. Simson&Volley is a partnership between artists Jo Volley, and Henrietta Simson. Although practicing artists in their own right, the collaborative process allows the subsuming and exploration of shared interests. Mel Gooding, the well-known and respected British art writer and critic, described Simson&Volley’s collaboration as ‘a lovely dual-imagination at work between media, scales and dimensions, intellectually clear and uncluttered. A meeting of good and vibrant minds, not afraid of beauty as fact or idea’. Both are graduates of the Slade School of Fine Art, UCL, where Henrietta Simson is currently researching for a practice related PhD and Jo Volley, senior lecturer, is co- director of the Slade Material Research Project.
New media artist, trail runner. Hyper Island (design college), Singapore. ‘I’ve been doing a fair bit of running over the past few years, taking part in trail ultramarathons mostly. I just got back from my ultramarathon in the blue mountains. It was The North Face Australia 100km. It was a beautiful race going through some stunning trails. I was able to finish it in 16hrs 09mins, 4hrs faster than last year. I am quite pleased about that 🙂 Later this year I am running the UTMB CCC 100km.’
Lecturer at CASS School of Art, London Metropolitan University. London, UK. Member of research group ‘A Place in Time?’ Education Officer for Fermynwoods Contemporary Art. ‘I am an artist and runner where both practices draw on corporeal physicality and new technology, exploring endurance running and endurance drawing, often from the perspective of the heart as a perceptual organ.’
University of Central Lancashire, UK. ‘I am an Biomechanics enthusiast, PhD student and Head of Research for Harrison Spinks Ltd.’
Qualified Chi Running Instructor, and England Athletics trained Leader in Running coach, UK coordinator of the World Harmony Run an international torch relay. London, UK. ‘I have been a runner for more than 25 years, and a student of both Tai Chi and Meditation. While running with the World Harmony Run team in the Czech Republic I met a friend who was an ultra runner and a very experienced runner who had recently become a Chi Running instructor. As we ran through the Czech Republic I was introduced to the concepts of Chi Running. Chi Running works with the principles of Tai Chi to develop the perfect running technique, reducing strain in the body and therefore the risk of injury. It is also a useful tool for runners looking to transition to minimalist shoes.’ Unfortunately Balavan, who has been most supportive of the inaugural Run Run Run, cannot join us as he will be running 3000 miles (only!) in the Czech Republic on the Peace Run during that time. As we speak (May 2014) Balavan, with Devashishu Torpy (scroll down), are on the road with the European Peace Run team.
Artist, PhD candidate, Slade School of Fine Art, UCL London UK. ‘I am an artist and PhD student at the Slade researching concepts of imagination in Hannah Hoech’s independent and collaborative work. This project is informed by studio practice in painting and animation.’
Cross-disciplinary artist-curator-educator-researcher-advisor. Founder and Curator of #r3fest with Alan Latham. And Chief Servant. ‘I thought of creating this Festival after having explored running in my fine art practice-related doctorate research (2009-2013) conducted at the Slade School as a UCL Scholar. I run slowly with a funny gait.’
Creative director, composer and sound designer, Singapore. ‘I have directed several multimedia events include the Opening of the Gardens by the Bay, 20th World Orchid Conference, SEA Games Closing Ceremony 2013 and the Garden Rhapsody Light and Sound show. I have a zest for the exploration of new formats, technologies, ideas and multi-media story-telling. My works have been showcased in more than 30 countries.
UK Peace Run Coordinator. Sri Chimnoy Centre, London, UK. ‘I teach English part-time and I have been a member of the Sri Chinmoy Centre for over 35 years. I help to organise the Great Britain Peace Run (formerly the World Harmony Run) and also organise races for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team.’
Guy Watts, Mr
Streetscape, London, UK. ‘I’ve been a keen gardener pretty much all my life. Post-university, I spent four years working at one of Europe’s most prestigious plant nurseries, Architectural Plants. It became clear to me there was a real lack of new and enthusiastic talent entering the horticulture industry; and a real opportunity for young people, eager to learn a trade, to gain employment. I work on a consultancy basis for Streetscape and am passionate about sharing my love for gardening with our apprentices, and getting in the business and funding that makes Streetscape tick. Guy has also been a BALI South Thames Regional Committee member since February 2014. Also a bit of a fan of extreme sporting challenges, on 31st July 2009 I broke two world records as part of the first and fastest pair to row unassisted land to land across the Indian Ocean in 102 days, 13 hours and 40 minutes.
Southwest of UK/Newport. ‘I have taught in art and design education for many years and am currently undertaking a part time MA in Documentary Photography at USW/Newport that I complete in October 2014. My next project is with a group of artists around the theme of Power in the Land: the decommissioning of a nuclear power station in Anglesey. I started running years ago because I was upset – no longer running as a reaction to something, it’s a load more fulfilling! The MA has provided an opportunity to explore my art and running practice.’
Professor of Performance, Academy of Music and Theatre Arts, Falmouth University. One half of Lone Twin, which ‘try to look at the world and smile, so the performance, theatre and events we make look for signs of hope. Our early duo pieces were intentionally arduous and physically demanding. Some shows went on for months, crying into rivers, sweating over our tiny bikes. To our surprise, people sympathised with us. They gathered round and tried to help. Ever since, that’s what we’ve been doing – encouraging people to gather around. We work in all kinds of forms and spaces, from narrative theatre to large-scale community events. We’re commissioned by international venues and festivals; we show what we make around the world. Over the years we’ve built up a fantastic audience who continue to accompany us, cheer us, and have a good time – no matter how hard things get.’
Associate Professor, Women & Gender Studies Program & Department of History, University of Lethbridge, Canada. ‘I am an interdisciplinary scholar specializing in Women and Gender Studies; North American and European Women’s History; and contemporary Native American women’s history. I have taught across Canada and in the United States at the University of Houston (2001-2003) and University of New Mexico (2000). My most recent books are an edited collection titled Indigenous Women & Work: from Labor to Activism (Uillinois Press, 2012) and Framing the West: Race, Gender and the Photographic “Frontier” in the Pacific Northwest (Oxford UP, 2003). I’m scheduled to run Arizona’s Grand Canyon on June 20 — think of me on that day — 14hours plus loss and gain of 18,000 feet and above all HOT in the canyon. (–:
Richard Wright, Mr
Residential involvement consultant, community gardens enthusiast, guide. London, UK. ‘I’ve worked for 13 years social housing, helping residents build community and influence housing services. I’m now excited to be going it alone, starting a new chapter working on community gardening. I now know 1o Latin names for forna so these really are early days! I am also a keen guide. I have researched, designed and run several tours, including How The Squares were Shaped (Bloomsbury Festival, Val Martin Memorial Walks), Bloomsbury Tree Walk (London Tree Week) and a few historic pub crawls.’
Yow Siew Kah, Mr
Art history teacher, writer and researcher. Singapore. ‘I run several times a week.’
