University of Aberdeen: Images of Research Competition 2022

Researcher: Janine Ewen

School: Social Sciences – criminology/sociology

Title: ‘STUCK’ with toxicity from hazardous industries?

Description:

Northeast Scotland is going through an unprecedented time of structural change as it is striving to become an ‘energy transition environment’. Situated opposite Aberdeen harbour, the imposing smiley sticker is playful, but it also feels sinister. The emoji smile, popular for evoking positivity of the human experience, is trying its best not to be distracted by the toxic eye, representing the nuclear waste dripping down. For how long do we just keep smiling despite the harm? I use visual-sensory methods with communities to enhance our understanding of environmental harm, and the role of social justice and state power in this.