Undercurrent: Movement of Jah People

We are seeking a Heritage Researcher to lead and conduct the research and archive aspects of a two-year multifaceted creative heritage project, which includes ambitious interpretation outputs. The project blends historical research, community engagement and creative collaboration.

In 2024, Revoluton Arts, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England, led the research phase of Undercurrent, exploring themes of bottom-up activism and associated music subcultures connected to communities along the River Lea, the natural heritage of the Lea and the Neolithic beginnings of Luton’s communities at Waulud’s Bank.

The Undercurrent project’s ongoing central theme is focused on movements of people in bottom-up activism, motivated by the principles of humanity and love – living better together, as opposed to with hostility. It will conduct deeper research into the physical movement of people – the super-diverse communities at either end of the Lea, Luton and London – and their connectedness. It will amplify voices hardly heard, make visible the communities seldom seen, and it will surface the pioneering music and creative subcultures that have promoted – and continue to inform – positive political and social change in multicultural society.

The Heritage Researcher will play a pivotal role in shaping the next phase of Undercurrent by conducting comprehensive historical research that informs creative outputs such as podcasts, oral history collections, public events and digital archives. In collaboration with the Revoluton Arts CEO/Creative Director, Senior Heritage Producer and Revoluton producing team, this role will help frame the narrative of the River Lea’s rich heritage and its evolution as a site of collective memory and creative resistance.

Equity, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do, from programming work with, by and for Lutonians, through to how we budget and build partnerships. We are committed to our organisation reflecting and celebrating Luton’s incredible diversity across ethnicity, age, gender, disability and socio-economic background. We therefore especially welcome applications from people with lived experience of the communities that we work with.

Further information, brief and person specification can be downloaded here.

A copy of our organisational structure is available here.

How to Apply

Please email your application to: hello@revolutonarts.com

To submit an application, please send in an up-to-date CV, with details of two referees, a completed Equality Monitoring Form and a supporting statement outlining your interest and why your experience makes you an excellent fit for the role.

We will accept the following formats for the statement:

• Written statement that is no more than 2 sides of A4.
• Video submission that is no longer than 5 minutes.
• Audio submission as an MP3 or WAV file, that is no longer than 5 minutes.

Please clearly label your files with your name. The Equal Opportunities Form should be anonymous and requires no label.

Deadline for applications: 23:59, 1 December 2025

Interviews: Interviews will take place on 9 December, at Marsh House, Bramingham Road, Luton LU3 2SR

Revoluton is a diverse organisation, committed to equal opportunities and we welcome applications from all sections of the community. If you require any further information, assistance in making an application or this information in an alternative format, please contact us on hello@revolutonarts.com or 01582 345560.