First confirmed speakers announced for Play 2021 conference

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The first confirmed speakers for Play 2021, the new conference on childhood, play and space, planned for Birmingham University on 7-8 July, have been announced. They are:

  • founder of the Flying Seagull Project play charity, Ash Perrin;

  • independent writer and researcher, Tim Gill; and

  • Professor Helen Dodd from the University of Reading.

Perrin, who is the author of ‘The Real Play Revolution’, is described as a ‘professional noisemaker, childhood conservationist, rabble-rouser and lifelong play enthusiast.’ Gill’s new book Urban Playground, published this month by RIBA, the Royal Institute of British Architects, makes the case for child-friendly planning and place-making, while Professor Dodd’s research on the impact of Covid lockdowns on children’s play and social lives has made headlines in the UK media.

More plenary and keynote speakers for the conference will be announced as they are confirmed, with parallel presentation sessions to be constituted from submissions to the call for papers announced earlier this month.

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