Academic Work
I have presented papers at international conferences across the UK and online, in addition to talking to students, arts audiences and community groups about my research. I am especially interested in practice led and interdisciplinary research and have collaborated with academics from History, Geography and the Social Sciences. My practice based doctorate was AHRC funded in connection to the Locus+ archive, supervised by John Kippin and Dr Carol McKay, exploring site specific and photographic practices connected to Peterlee Newtown, this work built on my collaboration with Stuart Brisley and Tim Brennon (Radix NE) which examined Brisley's work in the town, The Peterlee Project 1977. A detailed account of this work can be found in the publication Art of Negotiation ed Butler D (2007). My work continues to explore connections between the local and the global through site specific practice, connecting to historic movements such as Artists Placement Group, most recently this included sharing work at Incidental Assembly (2019) at South London Gallery.
Academic Residencies
I have undertaken several residencies as part of interdisciplinary research projects, working on co-authored articles and disseminating complex academic research to divers audiences. Recent projects listed below.
Mud Matters 2022 - Residency with the Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment (HBBE), a multi university research project, my work connected into the Gateshead Riverside Partnership project (Gateshead Council, National Trust, Newcastle University) leading to a series of exhibitions, presenting my work internationally at Mud Futures (Shushant University India). For more info see project page.
FIELD Photographer in residence (2020-21) Interdisciplinary research project funded by Wellcome Trust, University of Lincoln, Leeds Trinity University, University of Hull, University of Glasgow, University of Edinburgh and the Museum of English Rural Life. Moving image work and print multiples, exhibited across the UK including Being Human Festival, co-authored publications forthcoming. see project page
Leverhulme Trust Artist in Residence (2017-18) - University of Northumbria, a year long collaborative project working with social scientist Dr Siobhan Daly exploring the role philanthropy (both historic and contemporary) in public space and institutions in North East England. Leading to a series of research walks, site specific installations and film screenings and hand made publications donated to two libraries. project page
Womens Voluntary Action (2018) - this work built on my collaboration with Dr Siobhan Daly exploring women's experiences of volunteering through a series of walking interviews and led to co-authored journal articles. see project page and Community Development Journal Walking and Talking with Volunteers Allen and Daly 2020
Pavements to Homes (2016) Working with academics from the University of Northumbria, Shelter and Home Group to explore young people's experiences of homelessness in Newcastle upon Tyne. project page
Writing
Jacqueline Poncelet In The Making MIMA review for Corridor 8 (April 2024) link
The Weight of Ants in the World - Holt Journal Issue 2 Situations (2024) link
Corridor 8 review of Sabina Salis Multispecies Visionary Institute by Michele Allen 2021 link
Documenta Review; Some Points of Interest and Points of Contention, AN. (2017) link
Walking and Talking with Volunteers co-authored with Siobhan Daly Community Development Journal 2020.
Encounters with a Colliery Landscape – book chapter as part of the publication Material Memory; the post industrial landscape as a site for creative practice. 2017.
Thesis extract The Multiple Personalities of a Public Artwork (2012) link
A Brief History of the Peterlee Project, an account of photographic work in the community with contributions from Tim Brennan and Stuart Brisley. Source Magazine (2006)
Conference Organisation
I have experience of organising conferences and seminars often working with multiple institutions and partners.
Of the Earth; Art, Writing and the Environment, University of Plymouth and WALK research group University of Sunderland. I managed the peer review process, liaising with speakers and academics across two institutions, and developed the conference themes and event programme, full programme here.
Interacting with the Archive; Creative Approaches. Co-ordination of conference in collaboration with Marjolaine Ryley and Interface, University of Ulster as part of the series of events, Performing the Archive, March 2007.
Talks and Academic Papers
Interview about my work Mud Mapping for Eutropian Research and Action (international research project) connected to the built environment and sustainability with Bahanur Nasya - Link
Hinterlands Finessage - performance and collective reading Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art 2023
Mud Futures Shushant University India - invited speaker 2022 link
Shifts Photography, Environment Action, NEPN international Symposium - invited speaker 2021 link
The Weight of Ants in the World talk, performance and online film screening CVAC University of Durham 2020
For the Elevation of Man conference paper Visual cultures 2 University of Durham 2018
A Low Bright Seam Space and Place History conference Nottingham Trent University 2016.
Photographers talk Public and Private / For the Elevation of Man Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art 2016.
‘Photography, domesticity and the planned environment; exploring Peterlee Newtown’ in conversation with Elaine Harwood as part of the conference ‘In Place of Architecture’ Nottingham Trent University Nov 2015.
Forgotten Fruit; Shifting spaces and interior Wilderness. Paper as part of Landscape Wilderness and the Wild international Conference University of Newcastle March 2015.
Trees Not Tarmac: Stories from the M65. Paper presented at Of the Earth: Art Design Writing and the Environment Plymouth University 2014.
Lost Topographies and Emerging Landscapes paper Visualising the Rural University of Cumbria (July 2013)
Work from the series Designated Sites of Tranquillity NY Arts magazine, Vol 15, Fall 2010
‘Postcards from Peterlee’ paper presented as part of Framing Time and Place, University of Plymouth 2009.
Designated Sites of Tranquillity Sounding Out 4, University of Sunderland September 2008