This one-day workshop invites participants to engage creatively and critically with Participatory Action Research (PAR) through the arts education practice of A/r/tography. The workshop affords participants an opportunity to practically apply a creative-relational research method that embodies not only what can be reported but what is ‘felt’ at their sites of research. The workshop is inspired by Lascik et al.’s (2022) “Walking with A/r/tography. A/r/tography is a creative-relational research method that utilises narrative through the arts and nature as a method of inquiry to connect theory, practice and research rooted in arts education practice.
The workshop facilitators have extensive experience in applying creative research methodologies as early career researchers working on the REALITIES project. Individual creative practice and group discussions will be encouraged throughout the day.
This workshop is open to students and early career researchers from any discipline. No prior knowledge or experience of participatory action research and/or A/r/tography is required; we welcome students to bring their own research experiences and interest in creative methodologies.
Regarding accessibility, the workshop will primarily be held at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, which is fully accessible, with the afternoon walking session taking place in the nearby Meadows Park. The paths are paved and well maintained in this area; however, we will design an accessible walking route so that it is suitable for wheelchairs and to consider those who may have mobility issues. If walking proves difficult, there are multiple benches in the park, if participants prefer to sit and apply a/r/tography in the natural environment without the walking aspects to participate.
Workshop Schedule:
9 – 12:30 – Morning Session (Introduction to each other and our research journeys, introduction to PAR, Introduction to A/r/tography)
12:30 – 1:30 – Lunch Break
1:30 – 5:00 – Afternoon Session (Walking/Outdoor Activity, Creative exercise based on walk and sharing with bigger group and then sharing final reflections/questions)