The Glasgow Effect

Ellie Harrison investigates the social and economic forces that shape Glasgow and its people.

A compelling exploration of inequality, culture, and what shapes our cities.

About the Ebook

How would your career, social life, family ties, carbon footprint and mental health be affected if you could not leave the city where you live? Artist Ellie Harrison sparked a fast-and-furious debate about class, capitalism, art, education and much more, when news of her year-long project The Glasgow Effect went viral at the start of 2016. Named after the term used to describe Glasgow's mysteriously poor public health and funded to the tune of £15,000 by Creative Scotland, this controversial 'durational performance' centred on a simple proposition – that the artist would refuse to travel beyond Glasgow's city limits, or use any vehicles except her bike, for a whole calendar year.

Reviews

So well done Ellie Harrison, take a bow you have produced a bold, vital and thoroughly researched piece of work and this should be stocked in every library, book shop and place of learning throughout the length and breadth of Scotland. Keen on Goodreads, 2022

Glasgow Effect artist Ellie Harrison launches book in response to 'social media ****storm. The Scotsman

Ellie Harrison’s project – her ‘extreme lifestyle experiment’ – is an anticipation of what’s to come. We will all have to relax our standards on what we regard as a legitimate or respectable ‘job’, as the new pieces of our socio-economic future settle... Harrison’s mix of occupational skills, community activism, education and self-expression – and her enthusiastic interest in how all these elements fit together – is going to be more and more the mainstream experience of ‘work’ in our societies. We should learn from her, and from the new wave of socially-engaged artists like her. PAT KANE, The National, January 2016

Brava to Ellie Harrison for continued integrity and conviction, as she uses her education, skills and (self-acknowledged) privileged position as an artist to challenge the failing economic status quo and ruffle the feathers of our corrupt, complacent establishment in Glasgow and beyond. ZARA KITSON, Head of Community Engagement for Princes Trust Scotland, Facebook, January 2017

This is a most excellent book for anyone who is interested in public transport, local democracy, and seriously addressing the climate emergency and socio-economic inequality in the world. 5* Goodreads Reviewer

Ellie Harrison: Glasgow artist on a poverty safari? She better not forget the pith helmet. The Independent // Paid to Live Like Common People. The Daily Mail // Outraged over a £15,000 Glasgow art project? Look at the bigger picture. The Guardian // I’m a posh punchbag, says artist in Glasgow row. The Times // read all of this coverage from the original 2016 Glasgow Effect project and many more articles like them on Ellie’s website.

Why You'll Love This Ebook

• Authentic Scottish voices and captivating narratives.
• Rich cultural heritage woven throughout every page.
• Published by Luath Press, Scotland's leading independent publisher.
• Instantly accessible through The Grey Hill App.

About the Author

sparked a fast-and-furious debate about class, capitalism, art, education and much more, when news of her year-long project The Glasgow Effect went viral at the start of 2016. Named after the term used to describe Glasgow's mysteriously poor public health and funded to the tune of £15,000 by Creative Scotland, this controversial 'durational performance' centred on a simple proposition – that the artist would refuse to travel beyond Glasgow's city limits, or use any vehicles except her bike, for a whole calendar year.

Publication Details

Publisher: Luath Press

Publication Date: 01 November 2019

Print Length: 384 pages (Ebook edition)

ISBN (Ebook): 9781912387649

Format: Ebook

Language: English

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