Outputs (4)

Soft power, cultural relations and conflict through Eurovision and other mega-events: a literature review (2024)
Report
Baker, C., Atkinson, D., Grabher, B., & Howcroft, M. (2024). Soft power, cultural relations and conflict through Eurovision and other mega-events: a literature review. British Council

First paragraph:
This literature review explores the significance of the Eurovision Song Contest for soft power strategies and cultural relations activities, especially at times of conflict and international aggression.

Culture, place and partnership: the cultural relations of Eurovision 2023 (2024)
Report
Baker, C., Atkinson, D., Grabher, B., & Howcroft, M. (2024). Culture, place and partnership: the cultural relations of Eurovision 2023. British Council

Foreword:
This report tells the story of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023, when the UK found itself as host on behalf of the 2022 winners Ukraine, due to Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country in 2021. As the UK’s 2022 entry Sam Ryder put it... Read More about Culture, place and partnership: the cultural relations of Eurovision 2023.

Eurovision 2023 Cultural Relations Snapshot: A snapshot from the forthcoming cultural relations, soft power and shared values research (2023)
Report
Baker, C., Atkinson, D., Burgess, G., Grabher, B., & Howcroft, M. (2023). Eurovision 2023 Cultural Relations Snapshot: A snapshot from the forthcoming cultural relations, soft power and shared values research. British Council

About this research
In May 2023, Liverpool and the BBC hosted the Eurovision Song Contest on Ukraine’s behalf. This was the first time since 1980 that Eurovision has not been hosted in the previous winning country, and the first time a winner has e... Read More about Eurovision 2023 Cultural Relations Snapshot: A snapshot from the forthcoming cultural relations, soft power and shared values research.

Gay Bod: Civic and LGBTQ+ Pride After Brexit in a City on the Margins of the UK and Europe (2023)
Book Chapter
Baker, C., & Howcroft, M. (2023). Gay Bod: Civic and LGBTQ+ Pride After Brexit in a City on the Margins of the UK and Europe. In K. Loftsdóttir, B. Hipfl, & S. Ponzanesi (Eds.), Creating Europe from the Margins: Mobilities and Racism in Postcolonial Europe (108-124). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003269748-7

In 2017, Kingston-upon-Hull celebrated becoming UK City of Culture (‘Hull2017’). Organisers of the cultural mega-event hoped to restore civic pride amongst residents of Hull, which had been severely affected ever since its North Sea fishing industry... Read More about Gay Bod: Civic and LGBTQ+ Pride After Brexit in a City on the Margins of the UK and Europe.