‘What to do with such knowledge of faraway suffering? … it seems normal for people to [ignore] the ordeals of others. We don’t get it. We truly can’t imagine how dreadful, how terrifying, and how normal it becomes. Can’t understand, can’t imagine.’ (Susan Sontag, 2002)
From Jimmy Kelly’s death in Huyton Police Station in 1979 to current research into babies’ deaths and disappearances from Ireland’s mother and baby institutions, Phil Scraton’s work has spanned five decades, exposing institutional abuses of power. His research with families and survivors confronts authoritarianism, challenges official narratives, and highlights the failures of state justice. He argues that critical researchers and human rights lawyers have a responsibility to uncover the truth—the foundation of hope, resistance, and change.
Phil Scraton is Professor Emeritus at Queen’s University Belfast, with visiting professorships in Sydney, Auckland, and Amherst. His research focuses on contested deaths, state accountability, incarceration, and children’s rights. His widely published work includes Hillsborough: The Truth, Power, Conflict and Criminalisation, and The Violence of Incarceration. He led the Hillsborough Independent Panel’s research team and was a consultant for the BAFTA-winning ESPN/BBC documentary Hillsborough. In recognition of his work on Hillsborough, Phil was awarded the Freedom of the City of Liverpool. He refused an OBE. Phil is a great friend and supporter of Wow, and we look forward to welcoming back for 2025.
In partnership with: Libraries, Museums and Galleries University of Liverpool.
We encourage people to use public transport to travel to events where possible.
Public Transport:
Bus: From the city centre, buses 14 and 79 go up Brownlow Hill around every 5 minutes. The buses leave from the side of the Adelphi Hotel at the bottom of Brownlow Hill and stop outside the Victoria Gallery & Museum at the top of Brownlow Hill.
Nearest train station(s): Liverpool Central (Approx. 15 min walk), Liverpool Lime Street (Approx. 15 min walk)
*These are difficult times. We know some people may struggle to afford full price tickets. If you would like to attend this event but can’t afford to, please contact info@writingonthewall.org.uk. All queries will be treated in confidence.
Victoria Gallery, University of Liverpool, Ashton Street, Liverpool L69 3DR
£7.00
Date: May 6, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Ends: 9:00 pm
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