Rix Inclusive Research celebrates 20 years
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Published
28 May 2024
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The University of East London’s Rix Inclusive Research Institute has marked its 20th anniversary with a rousing celebration at the Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability (RDCS).
The institute is one of the University’s flagship research institutes, with a mission to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities through effective use of digital and multi-media technologies.
The anniversary celebrations, dubbed RIX 20!, took place in a lively atmosphere of inclusion, with more than 120 people joining in, a mix of academics, practitioners, people with lived experience of disability, and co-researchers.
The event started with opening remarks from Professor Amanda J. Broderick, UEL’s Vice-Chancellor and President. She said, “the Rix Centre truly believes in the power of inclusive research. By collaborating closely with co-researchers and amplifying their voices they strive to create a more inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone that has been part of this incredible 20 years. Your dedication, passion and tireless efforts have made the Rix what it is today. The Rix contributes to building a more equitable world for generations to come.”
A discussion followed between Rix co-founder Professor Andy Minnion MBE and Professor Jonathan Rix, son of Lord Rix, who co-founded the institute with Professor Minnion in 2004. They talked about the early challenges it faced, and the initial experiments with multimedia that would develop into the institute’s innovative multimedia advocacy approach.
The event started with opening remarks from Professor Amanda J. Broderick, UEL’s Vice-Chancellor and President. She said, “the Rix Centre truly believes in the power of inclusive research. By collaborating closely with co-researchers and amplifying their voices they strive to create a more inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone that has been part of this incredible 20 years. Your dedication, passion and tireless efforts have made the Rix what it is today. The Rix contributes to building a more equitable world for generations to come.”
A discussion followed between Rix co-founder Professor Andy Minnion MBE and Professor Jonathan Rix, son of Lord Rix, who co-founded the institute with Professor Minnion in 2004. They talked about the early challenges it faced, and the initial experiments with multimedia that would develop into the institute’s innovative multimedia advocacy approach.
Among the other speakers were campaigner and learning disability champion, Catherine de Haas, who with Jane Abraham remembered their friend, the late Gloria Ferris. A writer, self-advocate and activist, Gloria championed greater rights, inclusion and independence for those with a lived experience of learning disability. Professor Nicola Grove also shared her experience of supporting young people with profound disabilities to share their stories.
Gosia Kwiatkowska, Director of the Rix Inclusive Research Institute, has been a key part of the Institute’s journey for the last 20 years. She said, “Over the past two decades we have been pushing the boundaries of what is possible when we truly listen to and empower every voice in our community. As we celebrate this milestone, I am profoundly grateful to our dedicated team and our partners who have travelled this road with us. Together, we have driven transformative change, making a tangible difference in the lives of many people. As I look forward, I am committed to our mission of fostering an inclusive society where everyone can thrive. Thank you all for being a part of this remarkable journey.”
One of the day’s undoubted highlights was a display by Oskar Schenck from Germany of his juggling skills on the Diabolo, or Chinese yo-yo. Supported by his mother Stana, he left the audience amazed by his skills Oskar works at Berlin’s Circus Sonnenstich as a trainer and artist.
Attendees also got the opportunity to participate in interactive workshops. The workshops included a pop-up museum, an exploration of virtual reality and a variety of storytelling sessions.
Attendees also got the opportunity to participate in interactive workshops. The workshops included a pop-up museum, an exploration of virtual reality and a variety of storytelling sessions.
They were followed by performances by the Not Your Circus Dog Collective!, a disabled and neuro-divergent-led performance company. They showcased some of their provocative and seductive cabaret Not F**kin’ Sorry! which confronts the daily horrors of discrimination, implicating every member of the audience.
The event ended with the book launch for Rights in Practice for People with a Learning Disability: Stories of Citizenship. Editors, Liz Tilly and Jan Walmsley talked about how they came to put the book together and invited several of the people whose voices are captured in it to talk about their experiences and their chapters. Several Rix co-researchers, who co-wrote a chapter about issues around employment for people with learning disabilities also shared their experiences with the audience.
Professor Matt Bellgard, UEL’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Impact and Innovation praised the work of the institute. He said,
“With their partnerships to create more inclusive museums, the Rix wikis and multi me, and their co-development approach to research, the Rix represents impact and innovation, demonstrating how close partnerships can leverage key resources to drive positive change for all - leaving no-one behind."
The Rix Inclusive Research Institute was established at the University of East London in 2004 with a mission to transform the lives of people with learning disabilities using digital and multimedia technologies. The institute is a testament to the University’s commitment to social justice as an institutional priority. It is actively committed to using a co-production and co-development approach. Rix works with people with lived experience of learning disability along with their support teams and the organisations involved in their education, health and care. Its initiatives are strongly aligned with several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Full details of the institute’s work can be found on the Rix website.