CTRL///ALT

The Brighton Youth Centre on Edwards Street is hosting a specific kind of collaboration on Thursday, 5 March, called CTRL///ALT. Running from 17:00 to 20:00, this event is the result of a partnership between the University of Brighton and Lighthouse, supported by the UKRI’s Ignite programme. The evening is structured as a mix of a panel discussion and an interactive lab, moving away from a standard lecture format to something more participatory. The core focus is on reimagining current social systems and exploring alternatives to existing structures of control through a blend of university-led research and local artistic practice.

The session is facilitated by Bobby Brown and Rachael Taylor, who will guide the dialogue between the audience and a group of specialists with quite different backgrounds. The panel includes Casey Galt, a creative who focuses on neurodiversity advocacy, and Myra Appannah, an artist and developer working within immersive technology. They are joined by Gracie Chick, whose work centres on alternative education models. This mix of perspectives is intended to bridge the gap between bold ideas and practical community action, allowing for a space where participants can think about large-scale change through a creative lens. It fits into the broader context of Lighthouse’s work in the city, which often focuses on developing young talent and exploring the intersection of culture and social issues.

For those planning to head over to 64 Edwards Street, the venue is now fully accessible following its extensive refurbishment in 2025. While there is no cost to attend—tickets are listed as free—the organisers require everyone to book their place ahead of time to manage the capacity of the interactive lab. It’s a straightforward opportunity to see how local research and the arts scene are intersecting right now, aimed at anyone in the community who values critical thinking and collaborative projects. The event provides a platform for these specific researchers and artists to share their findings in a setting that encourages the public to engage with the material directly rather than just observing it.