Helen Graham

Dr Helen Graham is an Associate Professor in the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies at the University of Leeds. She serves as Director of Research and Innovation and Research Ethics Lead. Her work focuses on museums, heritage, democratic theory, and participatory research, emphasizing experimental methods and institutional critique. Graham co-led the Bradford's National Museum project (2017–2021), exploring collaborative museum practices, and co-facilitated the Congruence Engine (2020–2023), redefining 'national collections' as dynamic social processes. She also collaborates on urban regeneration projects like My York Central, forming YoCo: York Central Co-Owned to co-design equitable neighborhoods. Graham teaches on MA programs in museum studies, arts management, and curating science.

Her research integrates political theory, affect theory, and speculative writing to challenge liberal participation frameworks. Current projects include a book on museums' 'cunning of liberalism' and experimental heritage writing focused on York's composite heritage. She emphasizes ethics in community-based research, authoring guides on participatory methodologies and informed consent.

Her scholarship spans over 50 articles, exploring participatory practices, heritage policy, and institutional transformation. Notable outputs include critiques of museum representation, analyses of co-production in heritage decision-making, and interdisciplinary studies linking art, activism, and urban planning. Graham’s work bridges academic theory and grassroots action, prioritizing equitable collaboration across scales.