AHRC Impact Acceleration Account: Developing a Professional Network between Tees Valley Writers and North East Publishers - Transporter Magazine

In the first phase of this impact project, I created a Theory of Change with writers in the Tees Valley, identifying the steps that the North East publishing sector needs to take to become more accessible to those in the Tees Valley, to highlight and support the ‘hidden’ voices of writers in the Tees Valley, and help writers and organisations to articulate and interrogate the assumptions that lie behind each of these steps in the change process. This provided writers a framework within which they were able to articulate their needs and wants directly to these organisations at a sandpit event held in May 2024.

The next stage of this project is to host two events: (1) a focus group and (2) a writing workshop to generate a prototype, proof-of-concept edition of a literary magazine, Transporter, named after Middlesbrough’s transporter bridge.

The focus group (first session) will take place at the University, including scaffolded exercises to designed to help the agree the aims, tone, and contents of Transporter. This will also allow participants chance to discuss the roles required in developing a publication and delegate responsibilities.

The workshop (second session) will comprise writing exercises and prompts given to help writers generate submissions for the prototype edition.

BA Graphic Design students enrolled at the Northern School of Art will be provided with a live brief to respond to, based on decisions made by the participants, to create a cover and designs for the magazine.

The project thus has two key aims: to galvanise research-driven initiatives and collaborations with writers and the publishing sector, which will shape thinking and action that positions the Tees Valley as a place of creative energy, industry and opportunity; and to challenge dominant narratives and structures that perpetuate the exclusion of voices and stories from the Tees Valley.