Any Questions?
Thanks for listening. Any questions?
How am I doing for time?
Can I get you anything?
Water, coffee, wine?
Pen tops click their fingers and thoughts run from ears to ink…
Do I belong here?
Err, is this the end of the queue?
Is that face friendly?
Sorry, where’s the loo?
Applause leaks under doors and gets swallowed by the carpet…
Is this seat taken?
Am I in the right room?
Is that plant real?
Is our future our brightness, or blue?
Chairs scrape their little metal arguments across the floor…
Who decides what matters?
Who decides what gets done?
Are you finished with that plate?
Are you having fun?
A yellow jumper crosses the room and causes a change in the weather…
Could things be otherwise?
Should we be scared, or hopeful?
Whose voice really counts?
Whose voice is visible?
Post-its breed, technicolour tongues catching creative commentary…
Who carries the burden?
When does the funding run out?
Did you sleep well?
What’s your research about?
A synchronised air-conditioned exhale escapes through teeth, a silent agreement in surround sound…
Have you come far?
Do we go far enough?
Have you tried the flapjack?
Shall we stay in touch?
Evidence. Action. Research. Practice. Shared words handled so often they are cosy company in our pockets…
Do we need more breathing space?
How do we count social value?
What shall we change?
Why do we do what we do?
A seagull shouts “one minute remaining” through the window…
Who has the evidence?
Who is taking action?
Who holds the keys to power?
Can you answer these questions?
Kate Burns. Voluntary Sector & Volunteering Research (VSVR)
