Postgraduate Symposium with Not F**kin’ Sorry (NFS!) by Not Your Circus Dog Collective in partnership with Access All Areas
The day before the Leeds Disability Studies Conference 2026, featured a dedicated postgraduate symposium organised by Ruby Goodley, the postgraduate representative of the Centre for Disability Studies
School of Sociology and Social Policy’s Ruby Goodley reflects on the postgraduate symposium funded by the Centre for Disability Studies.
The symposium centred on the theme Disability and the Creative Arts and comprised two core components: a workshop based on the award‑winning theatre production and film Not F**kin’ Sorry! (NFS!) and a panel discussion with researchers specialising in creative arts methodologies with people with learning disabilities. The event was designed for PGRs and early career researchers and aimed to foster critical engagement with disability, creativity, and inclusive research practices. One key aim of this day was to support PGRs attending the main disability studies conference to make connections with other PGRs. This day not only allowed attendees to find kindred colleagues but also fostered confidence in attending a somewhat dauntingly large conference later in the week.
NFS! workshop
The workshop drew on selected screened extracts from Not F**kin’ Sorry!, a cabaret‑theatre production created and performed by Not Your Circus Dog Collective, a group composed of autistic, learning‑disabled, and neurodivergent artists. The workshop was facilitated by Associate Professor Liselle Terret (NFS! co-writer & director of NFS!) and Stephenie Newman (NFS! co-writer & actor) and supported by Heather Johnson (NFS! Assistant Director and Support Worker).
The facilitators contextualised the film within broader debates in disability arts and culture. Following each extract, attendees engaged in reflective discussions exploring themes such as institutionalised disablism, disabled people’s sexual rights, and the articulation of disabled people’s aspirations. One participant reported appreciating “watching the glimpses of the show,” highlighting the value of the workshop’s immersive and affective approach.
(Left to Right) Liselle, Heather and Stephenie running the workshop
Panel discussion: creative arts and learning disabilities
The afternoon session featured a panel discussion co‑chaired by Stephenie Newman and Liselle Terret, joined by researchers Dr Melissa Kirby, Dr Jade French and Aline Verbeke. The panel showcased diverse methodological approaches to co‑creating creative arts practices with people with learning disabilities. As one delegate observed, it was “great to see creative methods being centered and how we can use this to contribute to disability justice.” This reflects the panel’s emphasis on participatory, justice‑oriented research frameworks.
(Left to Right) Stephenie and Liselle co-chairing the panel with Aline Verbeke, Melissa Kirby and Jade French
Creating a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible space
A central priority as the organiser, was the creation of an accessible and inclusive environment for all attendees. Drawing on knowledge from previous CDS events, the symposium incorporated multiple comfort breaks to support a relaxed atmosphere and facilitate informal conversations. The registration process included a traffic‑light sticker system – green indicating openness to conversation, yellow signalling limited interaction, and red indicating a preference not to engage socially. This system helped ease social interactions and supported a more inclusive networking experience.
The morning session included ice‑breaking activities designed to build rapport and establish a “care‑full space” in which participants felt safe to engage with potentially sensitive or emotionally challenging topics raised later in the workshop. In particular, there was a code of practice which highlighted the need to be kind and respectful with the way different cultural contexts articulate disability language. One attendee described the event as “very welcoming, inclusive and everyone was respectful,” emphasising the success of these measures.
Acknowledgements
Ruby would like to extend thanks to the volunteers who supported the event, the Centre for Disability Studies for funding the symposium, the attendees for their amazing contributions, and the panel members and NFS! team – Liselle, Stephenie, Heather, and colleagues – for their facilitation and expertise.
Picture credits for the main image: (from left to right) PhD researcher Marc Ramoneda Moreno; Heather Johnson; Associate Professor Liselle Terret; Stephenie Newman and Ruby Goodley
