Jade French

Jade French is a writer, curator and researcher who has been running participatory art projects since 2008. Jade predominantly works alongside people with a learning difficulty to explore the intersections of art, disability & social change, and more broadly has professional interests in participatory, and socially engaged arts practice.

Currently Jade is a PhD researcher at The University of Leeds conducting a collaborative study with self advocacy group Halton Speak Out, and art gallery the Bluecoat titled 'Art as Advocacy?'. This 3 year study aims to explore the potential for participatory curatorial practice by people with learning difficulties to act a site for self advocacy.

Jade’s research interests emerge from practical experience of running inclusive arts projects. Research areas of interest include access, co- production and co-design, cultural policy, participation, engagement & institutional power in art gallery contexts, as well as participatory action research, arts based research & inclusive research with people with learning difficulties.