Encountering R.D. Laing’s Archive: Mental Health, Care and Creativity (Call for Applicants, Creative Writing Workshop, Glasgow, 18 Sept 2014)

Research Summary: R.D. Laing Archive Creative Writing Workshop

Event Type: Creative Writing Workshop and Archive Engagement

Focus Subject: R.D. Laing (1927-1989), Scottish psychiatrist; mental health care history and contemporary practice

Date & Location: 18 September 2014, 10am–4pm, Special Collections, University of Glasgow Library

Participant Capacity: 12 selected applicants from diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and professions

Key Resources: Written, visual, and audio materials from Laing's personal archive; facilitated by creative writer Geraldine Perriam

Funding & Access: Supported by Wellcome Trust; free participation with refreshments provided

Application Deadline: 1 August 2014; selected participants notified by 8 August 2014

Contextual Significance: Marks 200 years of organised psychiatric care in West of Scotland; aims to develop interdisciplinary conversations on mental health institutions and contemporary care

Follow-up Opportunity: Participants invited to share workshop experiences at ‘Encountering R.D. Laing' Conference, University of Glasgow, 10 October 2014

Encountering R.D. Laing’s Archive: Mental Health, Care and Creativity
Creative Writing Workshop
18^th September 2014 10am – 4pm
Special Collections, University of Glasgow Library.
Organisers: Cheryl McGeachan, Sarah Hepworth and Geraldine Perriam

As Glasgow marks a significant milestone in its history of mental health care in 2014, being 200-years of organised psychiatric care in the West of Scotland, there is a unique opportunity to develop new conversations across disciplines, professions and communities that question the role of institutions and the future of mental health care in this changing contemporary landscape. Focussing on the life and work of Scotland’s famous and controversial psychiatrist, Ronald David Laing (1927-1989), this event seeks to start critical conversations about the past and present understandings surrounding issues of mental health care.

We invite 12 applicants to join us for a one-day creative writing workshop, ‘Encountering R.D. Laing’s Archive: Mental Health, Care and Creativity’ supported by the Wellcome Trust. This event seeks to bring together a range of individuals from across communities, disciplines and professions to work with a selection of written, visual and audio material from Laing’s personal archive. Creative writer Geraldine Perriam will lead an exploration of the creative ways in which archive material can be used, opening up new discussions into mental health care in Scotland and beyond.

We encourage anyone to apply using the Creative Writing Workshop Application Form. As places are limited, selections will be made based on bringing together a range of interested people from different backgrounds. There is no fee and all refreshments on the day will be provided. The event will take place in Special Collections, University of Glasgow Library.

Applications are open until August 1^st. Selected applicants will be contacted by Friday 8^th August. If you would like to be involved, please complete the attached form. The form is also available to view at the R.D. Laing Collection page.

An opportunity to share experiences and/or material produced from the workshop will be given at the ‘Encountering R.D. Laing: Mental Health, Care and Creativity’ Conference taking place in the University of Glasgow on Friday 10^th October 2014.

Further questions about this event should be directed to Cheryl McGeachan