By questioning the ethics of the witness statement, she also puts into doubt the efficacy of the first-hand document. For her project in Southend, the artist intends to conduct research into the documentary methods used by film collectives in the UK during the 1970s and 1980s. Historical groups such as Cinema Action and the Berwick Street Film Collective tackled issues relating to housing, urban development and community cohesion. Through active discussion and collaborative work with local communities, Bauer will critically test the political effectiveness and potential of such collaborative working practices today.