To mark the publication of the special issue ‘Producing and Consuming Inequality: A Cultural Sociology of the Cultural Industries’, Edinburgh College of Art held an evening of discussion, debate, and decision-making, themed around the problem of social inequality and the cultural sector.

 

The special issue was published in Volume 11, Issue 3 of Cultural Sociology and was edited by Dave O’Brien , Kim Allen , Sam Friedman , and Anamik Saha. Academic research, highlighted in Cultural Sociology, has shown the inequalities associated with who makes culture in the UK; what is represented on stage, on screen, and in print; and who consumes the culture of our government supported cultural organisations.

 

The evening consisted of a panel of cultural practitioners, hosted by the guest editors of the special issue. The speakers on the panel were:

-          Kate Fox, poet, comedian and academic;

-          Clive Gilman, Creative Scotland and Scottish Funding Council;

-          Robbie O’Neil, an actor whose work includes part in Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, and Casualty;

-          Yasmin Sulaiman, Editor-in-Chief at The List.

 

Following discussions and debate with the panel, audience Q&A considered how we might challenge some of the inequalities confronting contemporary culture.