We are delighted to announce that Professor Debbie Watson has been appointed as the new Director of the University of Bristol’s Brigstow Institute! Debbie will take over the role from Professor Tim Cole from August 2022 but will work in a limited capacity alongside him and the Brigstow team until then to ensure continuity. She will continue to lead the Institute to grow the interdisciplinary, co-produced research environment that Brigstow champions, and expand research partnerships involving academics and the creative industries, as well as activities that address structural inequalities.
Debbie is Professor in Child and Family Welfare, based in the School for Policy Studies. She has a wealth of experience in co-productive research methods, creative and arts-based research methods, working with children, young people and families, as well as creative industry, statutory service and civil society partners. All her research and writing is interdisciplinary and has been related to childhood identities and diversities particularly with care experienced children and families in low-income situations. She is also passionate about the use of digital technologies in research and is currently engaged in co-produced research with young people at risk of criminal exploitation bringing together hip hop and virtual reality to enable alternative narratives.
Debbie said “I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to lead this fantastic Institute and I am very much look forward to working with the whole Brigstow community”
Professor Phil Taylor, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise said: “I am delighted that Debbie has been appointed to take over from Tim as Brigstow Institute Director. Debbie’s experience of working with civil society, the creative industries and co-produced methodologies, places her in an excellent position to lead Brigstow in the future as a unique incubator space for novel, interdisciplinary research around Living Well”.