This project examines the poetry culture of the Leeds City Region by investigating how verse is created, shared, and experienced across diverse communities. Working in partnership with the National Poetry Centre and under the supervision of Professor John Whale, the research focuses on mapping out key players—from professional poets and publishers to community groups and student networks. The aim is to better understand the current landscape of poetry in Leeds and to help develop ideas for enhancing its reach and impact in the future.
Following the initial research, I will bring key players together to reflect on the poetry currently on offer in Leeds through conducting surveys and interviews. My findings in this initiative will provide an opportunity for creative reflection on how to enhance its presence and support its development. This will enable the National Poetry Centre to function in even better ways, fostering discussion on ways of supporting community poetry and amplifying diverse voices. I aim to spotlight the unique voices and creative practices that shape community-based poetry, with particular attention to inclusivity, accessibility, and cultural diversity.
I would like to thank@Rebecca Shaw, @Matt Penhaligon and the @Laidlaw Foundation for the opportunity to be a part of this fantastic programme. I am looking forward to working alongside my project partner @Susanna Nash to contribute to the development of the National Poetry Centre and support its work in the lead-up to its opening in 2027.
Hi!
I’m Katya, a third-year English and French student at the University of Leeds and part of the 2025/26 Laidlaw Scholar cohort. I am currently an Events and Marketing Intern at the Laidlaw Foundation.
My research project topic in 2025 was titled ‘Distinctiveness in the Poetry Activity of the Leeds City Region’. I worked in partnership with the National Poetry Centre to conduct interviews with key stakeholders in the poetry scene, which enabled me to draw conclusions about the levels of connectivity and accessibility in Leeds's poetry scene.
In the second year of the programme, I completed my LiA in Auckland, New Zealand, volunteering as a Community Engagement and Media Intern at Youth Arts New Zealand to amplify youth creativity through storytelling and community engagement.
I’m originally from Russia but moved to Slovenia for political reasons when I was 15, then to the UK at 19, and just completed an academic year abroad in Canada, so I’ve had a fair share of adapting to new places. Moving countries meant leaving behind everything I knew, including eight years of acrobatic gymnastics, but it also helped me become more open to change. I see each new chapter as a chance to grow, connect, and tell meaningful stories.
Outside of uni, you’ll probably find me at the gym (a post-acrobatics obsession), with my nose in a book, or planning my next trip—I’ve been to 36 countries so far and don’t plan on slowing down!
