Fresh insights from across the fellowship network. Interview with Maria Amidu (CF 2013) for the Fellowship in 5 profile: five questions, one inspirational Fellow, exploring what motivated their Fellowship, the insights they uncovered, and how they’re applying that learning to making a lasting impact in the UK and beyond.

What inspired your Fellowship?

During my last year as an Artist Ambassador at PEER Gallery, London, I developed a project which explored creativity and complex emotions. It had such a transformative impact it sparked my interest in finding other projects focused on art and emotional literacy.  

Where did you go and what did you explore?

The Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven to enquire about the impetus for their renowned social engagement programmes; John Hunter’s World Peace Game masterclass at Rutgers, New Jersey to participate in a week-long study of the game; and the 9/11 Memorial Museum, New York to understand how a contemporary space addressed very recent trauma through artefacts and art works.

If you had to sum up your Fellowship in one sentence, what would it be?

Five weeks of edifying research, 13 years (and counting) of enriching developments.

What advice would you give to someone preparing for their Fellowship journey?

Make space for unexpected encounters on your trip – people are very generous and encouraging once they know you are a Churchill Fellow. Make notes along the way, the small things as well as the big things you find out will influence your next steps.

Where has your Fellowship journey led you since, and what are you working on now?

A longitudinal art project, which started out as a PhD at the Royal College of Art called materialising the voice to speak from the liminal: a conversation about carelessness. I am developing projects about making and emotions, particularly in relation to growing up in the state care system.

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