In Episode 5 of Whose Power? we are in conversation with Preservative Party mentors Lauren and Grace.

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.

Grace talks about why there needs to be wholesale change in academia and museums to create the space for young people’s voices to be shared and heard. And Lauren explains how the Preservative Party has helped them develop the confidence to pursue their own academic career.

• Read a full transcript of the episode

Episode credits

Presenter: Abigail Harrison Moore, University of Leeds

Guests: Grace and Lauren, Preservative Party

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, Krissie Brighty-Glover, Research Podcasts

Photography: Andrew Lord