Spanning the late ’70s to early ’90s, this powerful new book uncovers the vital role of Black communities beyond London—in cities like Birmingham, Liverpool, Cardiff, and Bradford—during a time of political unrest and cultural revolution. From activists and artists to feminists and athletes, this vibrant collection of stories captures the resistance, creativity, and resilience that shaped a nation. Joyful, confronting, and deeply moving, ‘We Were There’ expands our understanding of Black British identity.
How might a poet respond to the rhythms and echoes of bats? Join us at the Botanic Garden for a unique evening that pairs natural science with poetic exploration.
As dusk settles, you’ll begin a guided walk through the Garden’s woodland paths to experience one of the UK’s most vital – yet often misunderstood – mammals. Using handheld detectors, we will tune in to the unique, high-frequency calls of bats as they navigate the night’s sky.
Mark Hehlen is a PhD Candidate in Polar Studies at the Scott Polar Research Institute. Join us for the chance to learn more about his research in his talk, 'Why West Antarctica is Critical for Sea Level Rise and the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration.'
Nick Jones is one of the eight artists featured in the Polar Museum's Painting the Poles temporary exhibition.
Are you a young woman with a passion for pollinators and crafting? Join us on the 3rd of May for a day of zine-making at the Museum of Zoology for women aged 16-35.
A zine is a small magazine – it comes from the word “magazine”. They are usually independently published, low cost, and easy to distribute. They emerged about 100 years ago and gained popularity in the Riot Grrrl scene in the 90s, when girls and women came together to tackle the lack of women’s representation in the punk music scene.
Whipple Scribble!
After-hours sketching at the Whipple Museum, Cambridge.
Thursday 8 May, 5.30-7.30pm
Free - Donate What You Can!
Ever fancied sketching among telescopes, globes, and ancient scientific instruments? Step into Cambridge University's home for the history of science for a relaxed, creative evening.
This talk will look at how Lili Brik’s position, as both muse and socialite, reflected the changing gender norms and the status of women in the decades following the Russian revolution. We will discuss the depictions of women in popular visual culture and art to illuminate the nuances and contradictions that existed in Soviet society in the 1920s and 1930s as the establishment of the new social order was taking place.
This panel will approach craft from the perspective of three of its authors who work with a diverse range of craft histories, chaired by Laura Moseley, Common Threads Press founder and Assistant Curator of the Women’s Art Collection.
Speakers include Gill Crawshaw (Rights Not Charity: Protest Textiles and Disability Activism, 2023) and Rachel Dedman (Stitching the Intifada: Embroidery and Resistance in Palestine, 2024).
This exhibition presents eight contemporary artists whose works offer vantage points on a world in perpetual crisis. Rather than representing specific political events, or taking singular positions, each artist in this exhibition explores broader conditions of domination and conflict, as well as horizons for survival.
Jade's socially engaged practice primarily encapsulates poetry, drawing, performance and research. Queerness and critiquing the portrayal of Black bodies in Western popular culture are recurring themes in her work.
