The work of Sarah Sparkes asks the question, provocative on many levels: "How do we make ghosts?" Sparkes works intensely with social scientists, paranormal investigators, and sceptics to examine what it is we actually experience when we percieve a presence that does not seem to physically exist. Her work considers what cultural factors may come together to produce a spirit, as well as how ghosts may differ given the environment, and moment in history, that creates them.

As part od this exploration, and the incredible wealth of location-specific research it has created, Sparkes has worked extensively with paranormal investigators and nationalistic psychologist Prof. Chris French (based at Goldsmiths, University of London), who investigates our experience of the paranormal from a psychological point of view.

The GHost Formula installation, whilst making reference to the many positions adopted in the research of ghosts and ghost belief, aims to provide a neutral platform from which the visitor can investigate and interrogate the idea of the ghost. Sparkes is also working closely with Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre, National Museums Liverpool and Shiverpool to collection Liverpool ghost stories for an online archive: theghostportal.co.uk.