The University of Local Knowledge ( ULK) celebrates the knowledge that we acquire through life experience and generates a context for the sharing of skills and expertise that are often unrecognised or undervalued.
ULK came about through a long-term partnership between Knowle West Media Centre, artist Suzanne Lacy, the University of Bristol, Arnolfini, and the communities in Knowle West. Supporting partners on the project were Bristol City Council, BBC, University of West of England and the Arts Council England.
ULK explores different forms of knowledge and reciprocity in teaching and learning. The project aims to uncover some of the skills, knowledge and talents that exist within the communities of Knowle West and surrounding areas in the South of Bristol.
In the days when You Tube and similar self-publishing knowledge-sharing sites were still in their infancy, ULK collated a critical mass of ‘local knowledge’ on film, which was situated on a purpose built website and re-presented as a virtual University of Local Knowledge.
Over 850 short films of local people were made, exploring issues that are of interest or relevance to people in the area- from growing organic vegetables, to coping with the affects of drug abuse within a family, running a business or engaging with the council about regeneration plans.
The University of Bristol was involved with ULK in various ways – from discussions about the nature of knowledge, to technical interests in how the videos could be displayed in a suitably interactive manner online. In addition, where Knowle West residents had expertise and experience that overlapped with academics’ interests, a series of site specific live discussions or seminars took place across Knowle West.
In June 2011 The University’s public engagement team worked with KWMC and Suzanne Lacy to coordinate these seminars; a series of intimate events which were designed for a small number of participants to exchange ideas and knowledge on an equal footing. Academics were paired in conversation with local experts to discuss the subject of mutual interest and a limited number of guests were invited to observe these discussions with the intention of generating writing, research and debate about hierarchical notions of knowledge and power. The subjects discussed during the seminars were: Horse Welfare, Education and Exclusion, Grandparent Guardians and Mechanical Engineering
University of Local Knowledge values the knowledge that we acquire through life experience and generates a context for the sharing of skills that are often unrecognised or undervalued.
