Bread & Roses: The Politics of Rest and Free Time under Disabling Capitalism (questionnaires and focus groups/collective discussions)

About: ‘Bread and Roses: The Politics of Rest and Free Time in, against, and beyond Disabling Capitalism’ is a research project undertaken by Ioana Cerasella Chis, in the School of Social and Political Science at the University of Glasgow. It is aimed at anyone over the age of 18, based in the UK, and who self-identifies as being a disabled person and/or neurodivergent, chronically ill, learning disabled, d/Deaf, with impairments, with experience of mental distress, or any other similar terms of self-identification.

Rationale: disabled, neurodivergent, and many other people in the UK are working (paid and unpaid) harder and longer than ever before – but how much time and resources are there for meaningful rest? This project explores how rest and free time are experienced, regulated, and denied in the UK.

Publications: One of the publications of this project will be a report in the form of a Manifesto for Rest and Free Time from a disability politics perspective, which will be shared with campaigning groups and other relevant collectives.

Engagement with participants in this study includes:

1. A questionnaire (phase one of the project)
2. A series of ‘focus groups’ / collective meetings

Eligibility: anyone who self-identifies as being disabled, neurodivergent, learning disabled, d/Deaf, chronically ill, with impairments, with experience of mental distress (or who uses other similar terms of self-identification), who is over the age of 18, and who lives in the UK.

Expected commitment from participants:

• Questionnaire:
  • The current deadline is 30 November 2026 (it can be extended closer to the time, if needed)
  • The questionnaire can be accessed here: https://breadrosesdisability.uk/questionnaire/
  • The questionnaire is available in different formats
  • You are welcome to type in the online questionnaire or Word Document, or submit recordings via the online questionnaire
  • Collective submissions can also be done
  • Other alternatives ways of addressing any questions from the questionnaire are also welcome
• Focus groups:
  • These will take place in two phases, starting from autumn 2026
  • More information can be found here: https://breadrosesdisability.uk/group-discussions/

Closing dates to apply:

• Questionnaire: 30th November 2026
• Focus groups: please email ioana.chis@glasgow.ac.uk if you wish to be added to a list of meetings (due to take place in late 2026 and early 2027)