Creative methodologies
VOICES_Ed
The VOICES_Ed project utilizes a photo-elicitation methodology to explore meanings, perspectives and understandings of inclusion, and exclusion, in school settings. The project began with the creation of photographs and accompanying comments, key words and vignettes or scenarios that prompted exploration of how schools and other education settings engage with children and young people’s ‘voices’, concerns and priorities.
VOICES_Ed projectArt is Everywhere
Victoria Foster was a Co-Investigator on this knowledge exchange project led by Dr Marisa de Andrade at the University of Edinburgh, funded through the AHRC Place Programme. Partners included North Lanarkshire Council, NHS Lanarkshire, Scottish Community Safety Network, Youth Theatre Scotland, Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire, and Tron Theatre. Using a range of arts-informed approaches, we engaged with communities in North Lanarkshire to address inequalities through the arts.
The project commissioned artists who worked with communities using dance, theatre, photography, film and visual arts. A key project impact was co-producing North Lanarkshire’s first ever strategy to tackle health inequalities through the arts (2023-2028), which is currently being embedded across Council departments. The Strategy outlines six strategic aims and, for each aim, learning cycles are being co-produced. Amongst other outputs, our project has provided training for Council staff that were previously not engaging with the arts to tackle inequalities in areas including social justice, community learning, and health.
The project continues to grow, engaging with hundreds of community members across the socio-economic spectrum, community organisations, North Lanarkshire College, local artists working across every medium, and more.
Art is EverywhereCreating Sustainable Futures: A photovoice project with young people in Wigan
This was a collaboration between Edge Hill University, Wigan Council and the local social enterprises Wigan and Leigh Community Charity, Embrace Wigan and Leigh and Made in WN8. It also had input from the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES). Together with a group of marginalised young people, we explored ideas of community wealth building and some of the possibilities that social enterprises might offer in furthering social and economic justice. We employed a photovoice methodology and the young participants took photos and told stories about their lives and experiences of work and worklessness, community, and their hopes for the future.
View the Creating Sustainable Futures photo storyFeminist Imaginaries Research Network
Reimagining gender justice through creative and arts-based adult education, research and curation in museums, libraries, heritage sites, universities and communities.
Visit The Feminist Imaginary Research Network (FIRN)