Summer R. Austin is a doctoral candidate at the Institute of Archaeology at University College London. Her research investigates the role of blockbuster museums exhibitions and how they influence the demand for antiquities on the market and the consequences for such demand. Currently she is co-editing a handbook that addresses methods, ethics and legal considerations for researching the illicit antiquities trade and open-source data, due out at the end of the year. Summer holds an Art History MSc degree in Collecting and Provenance in an International Context from the University of Glasgow, an MSc in Archaeology from the University of Edinburgh. Her research interests include the art and antiquities market, looting and trafficking of cultural and natural resources, museums and the market, art crime and cultural heritage law. 

Maeve Brennan is an artist and filmmaker based in London. Her practice explores the historical and political resonance of material and place. Working across moving image, installation, sculpture and printed matter, her works excavate layered histories, revealing the unseen structures that determine our lived environment.

 Recent solo exhibitions include VISUAL Carlow, Ireland; Galerie für Gegenwartskunst, E-WERK Freiburg (both 2023); Stanley Picker Gallery, London (2022); Mother’s Tankstation, Dublin; Wäinö Aaltonen Museum of Art in Turku, Finland; Kunsthaus Bregenz, Austria (all 2018); Chisenhale Gallery, London; Spike Island, Bristol; The Whitworth, Manchester (all 2017). Brennan’s work was featured in British Art Show 9 (2021-22) and her films have been screened internationally at Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt; CPH:DOX; Open City Documentary Festival; International Film Festival Rotterdam; FILMADRID; Sheffield Doc Fest and Sonic Acts, Amsterdam. She received the Jerwood/FVU Award (2018), Paul Hamlyn Award for Artists (2021) and was the Stanley Picker Fine Art Fellow (2019–22). She was awarded the Sainsbury Scholarship at the British School at Rome (2023) and is currently in residence at Somerset House Studios, London. She is shortlisted for the Film London Jarman Award 2024.

Thursday 4th July, 5.30-7pm, IAS Common Ground

The IAS Common Ground (G11) is located at ground level in the South Wing, and is fully accessible from the street. There is an accessible toilet at the entrance to the corridor.

Enter the UCL campus from Gower Street and head towards the top right-hand corner of the quad to enter the building. View on Google Maps or view a UCL campus map

Once inside the building, turn to the right and pass through some double doors. The South Wing corridor is then on your right.

We will be live streaming the conversation for those who are unable to join us in person. You can register for the link here.