National Photography Symposium
Celebrating 10 Years of working with Photographers and Communities

Friday 17th October 2025
9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Birmingham City University, The Parkside Building, B4 7BD

The State of Photography will bring together leading practitioners to consider, explore and debate how photographers and photography practice looks at resistance and is responding, examining and disrupting injustices and systems of power.

2025 is our ten year anniversary and during this time of polarized politics, illegal conflicts, climate emergency and divisive rhetoric we hear from those who are creating new discourse and aesthetics, and are criticality, looking at the world today, exploring life, unity, courage and identity.  We consider how the current volatile and more accelerated circumstances impact on photographer’s projects and approaches, and how we are presented with an opportunity to grow, change and be inspired.

Photography can impart the greatest truth of our times and sheds light on injustices, inequality and other aspects of our lives and society.   It seems today –more essential than ever to explore the role that photography can play.

During the national symposium we will hear from the perspective of those who share our concerns about the present and offer a diverse range of practices, experiences and stories that shed light on our unsettling world. 

We are delighted to announce that our speakers will include;

• Mandy Barker
• Adam Broomberg
• Vanley Burke
• Jaskirt Dhaliwal-Boora
• Clare Hewitt
• Chris Hoare
• Ayesha Jones
• Zed Nelson
• Sujata Setia

Tickets:

• Concession: £30.00 (+ booking fee)
• Standard: £35.00 (+ booking fee)
• University group tickets available for groups of between 10 and 20 students, please email stephen.burke@GRAINPhotographyHub.co.uk for more details.
  
  *Please note prices include tea/coffee at registration only

Book your ticket here.

Image © Zed Nelson, The Anthropocene Illusion