Putting Ourselves in the Picture, - Part 2: Engaging with Industry (POITP 2) aims to capitalise on the research activity undertaken by the partnership group and the participant women in part 1 of POITP, to create further impact for a group of emerging photographers who are from migrant and refugee communities, in the worlds of both art based and commercial photography practice. Putting Ourselves in the Picture project (2021 - 2022, POITP 1) was an inspiring training and mentorship program for marginalised women, from refugee and migrant communities, who had no access to photography training or education. The project was created by Fast Forward; Women in Photography based at University for the Creative Arts in partnership with Women for Refugee Women, Autograph, Impressions Gallery, Work Show Grow and National Galleries of Scotland and funded by a AHRC EDI Engagement Fellowship led by Professor Anna Fox. It culminated in the creation of outputs including a series of podcasts, short films and a publication. POITP was inspiring in many ways, the most significant aspects being how these new photographers were able to tell their own stories from their own perspectives and how engaged many of them became with the medium of photography itself and started to think about ways of making a living in photography. This is what has motivated this application for follow on funding. From now on, in this application, I will refer to the female and non-binary groups that we will be working with as the 'emerging photographers' This project is based on the knowledge that opportunities in photography for marginalised women and non-binary photographers are few and far between and there is an increased need for change in the burgeoning histories of the photography industry and the white male dominance of this industry since its inception. This application, for follow on funding, aims to increase the impact of the research from the AHRC EDI Fellowship, POITP 1, by informing current debates around photography, women and non-binary photographers in relation to employability and well-being. The aim is to develop new skills with a group of emerging photographers in preparation for working as professionals in the photography industry and to enshrine important values and knowledge into the photography industry (which includes photographers, printers, designers, galleries, archives, agencies, collectives, libraries, studios, curators and editors) regarding the employment of women and non-binary photographers and in particular marginalised women. POITP 2 will lead up to the creation of The International Photography Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Action Group, a group of people from the photography industry and from education who will work together to create tool kits, advice and skills development on employment and employability for future emerging photographers from diverse backgrounds.

Professor Anna Fox is one of the most acclaimed British photographers of the last thirty years and was recently awarded Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society. Since 2016 she has instigated, developed, and promoted Fast Forward: Women in Photography, a research and development project which has created a global network with far reaching impacts on the equality, diversity, and inclusion for women through photography. This ED&I Fellowship offers an opportunity to build on the Fast Forward project and the aims and objectives of the 2020 Manifesto, to support junior colleagues and to work in partnership with a progressive-thinking group of collaborator organisations to support a community of marginalised women. Through a series of innovative workshops and mentorship activities, the aim is to increase awareness of women's unheard life stories using photography and story-telling practices by increasing their skills to use photography to create new work. Most recently the coronavirus crisis has made the telling of women's stories all the more urgent, highlighting the inequalities within society for marginalised groups of women. Each workshop will run for between five and ten days and will involve tutors and mentors as well as at least six participants who are in contact with the partners. By promoting practical skills, networking skills, and industry knowledge, the women will develop confidence to tell new stories using the language of photography. The four workshops will be run by the partners starting in February 2021 and will be followed by a period of mentorship up to the end of the project enabling professional development in terms of networking and the production of high quality outputs, owned by participants, and widely disseminated, with permission. The work created and key moments in the processes undertaken at the workshops will be recorded, with participants' permission, on film and/or sound and aim to show the development of skills, confidence, and understanding. By working with the partner organisations, we will actively connect women to new networks, new experiences, and valuable role models, and set up a sustainable mentorship scheme. Outputs include artists books and prints made during the workshops. An exhibition of works will be organised along with a series of smaller scale exhibitions in local libraries and community centres, and a series of podcasts of interviews/discussions with both participants and mentors will be disseminated, designed to inspire women outside the project as well as to act as a legacy (These may vary with the restrictions due to the Covid situation). Outputs will be designed to create maximum impact through effective use of the website and social media of Fast Forward and through that of the partners and host institution, and will include promotion of exhibitions, publications, short films, and podcasts. The outputs will also be presented at the conference Decolonising the Curriculum (working title only) at University for the Creative Arts in late 2021. This work offers an approach to improve conditions and opportunities for marginalised women in UK society (such as refugees) by using the tool of photography. We will also be developing our relationships with our partners enabling future ways of working together to support women in photography. The work of this fellowship is designed to improve well-being, creativity, and employability of those involved. By bringing practical experience and new knowledge to the women taking part in the workshops and mentorship activity they will gain understanding and grow confidence in their newly acquired skills and inspire new creativity and abilities that will contribute to future well-being. It is vital to give marginalised women a voice and the opportunity to tell their stories, stories that have frequently been hidden. Photography has the ability to tell stories in a way that neither the written nor spoken word can do.