A STUDENT is getting £60,000 of taxpayers’ cash — to research racist puppets for three years.
News of the programme left ventriloquists stunned last night — while campaigners called it a woke-fuelled waste of money.
A student is getting £60,000 of taxpayers’ cash — to research racist puppets for three years[/caption]
The project, entitled “Grotesque acts of ventriloquism”, will analyse “race, puppetry and performance” in the 21st century.
It claims white artists receive funding to produce “puppet representations of people of colour” that is often “stereotypical”.
A student at Queen Mary University of London will lead the research, which was last night dismissed as “postmodern piffle”.
Ronnie Le Drew, president of the British Puppet and Model Theatre Guild, said: “I find it very strange.
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“I know several puppeteers working in the West End and the job market has been better for black people in the world of puppetry.
“So I’m slightly bemused. Most of the puppet companies in this country are all for using black puppeteers.”
James Roberts, political director of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Taxpayers are fed up with their money being wasted on woke research.
“Cash should be focused on urgent priorities like tax cuts or public services, not this postmodern piffle.”
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Funding was allocated by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, which is part of the UK Research and Innovation quango.
A spokesperson for UK Research and Innovation defended the decision as it explores “complex social, economic, political, and cultural issues”.
They added: “Research into challenging human issues is of great value to society and can ensure a better understanding of these topics, as well as how best to make a difference and enable positive change.
“All decisions on projects we invest in directly are made via a rigorous peer review process based on excellence by relevant and diverse independent experts.”
