Hall, A., Poliakoff, E., Edmonds, E., Baimbridge, P., Copitch, G., Hanks, G., Sullivan, M., Gowen, E., 2023.

Experience in Action: Using art-science activities to explore experiences of movement and the body in Parkinson's and autism

For older autistic adults and people with Parkinson's, movement and coordination problems can be issues that have implications for mobility, independence and quality of life. Therefore, in both conditions it is important to understand how movement is affected and under what conditions it may be improved to inform support and future interventions. This paper describes a series of informal workshops and activities designed through an interdisciplinary collaborative art-science project with Body Eyes and Movement Lab (BEAM, Led by Ellen Poliakoff and Emma Gowen) and artist Antony Hall that aimed to gain greater insight into these conditions. During the workshops, which took place at Manchester Art Gallery, participants were invited to try a series of interactive artworks and experiments inspired by research at BEAM Lab. The workshops provided a relaxed and playful environment in which participants also got the opportunity have conversations with scientists (and each other) about their experiences. This approach enabled participants not only to find out more about the research processes at BEAM Lab but also to become feel more involved in the research process . Therefore, encouraging openness and providing better data and new ideas for experiments.