Ecologies in Practice: Participatory arts methods for engaging young people in climate research
Lead Research Organisation:
Goldsmiths University of London
Department Name: Educational Studies
Abstract
The project will develop the CAL/CMUK Ecologies in Practice collaboration initiated in 2021-22, to become a research partnership. We will network firstly among local schools and community groups, and will initiate three arts-based methods for young people to interact with, each involving a collaboration with two practitioners. Each method is designed to engage young people with climate research through creative and reflective practice.
Method 1 will involve a collaboration between Kimberley Foster of CAL and Bridget McKenzie of CMUK. This practice research method will work with objects, bringing together Kimberley's practice of stimulating dialogue from pedagogical art objects with Bridget's object-based practice, that places 'an eco lens on things'. Objects will ideally be viewed in-person, with an option for socially-distanced viewing if necessary.
Method 2 will involve a collaboration between Kevin Davidson of CAL/CMUK and Michael Kirkpatrick of CAL/Alchemy Music. These practitioners will work with sound and photography, bringing together Michael's practice of socially-engaged music-making with Kevin's practice of arts-based community exchange. This collaboration will draw upon the arts-based method of 'photovoice' (Wang & Burris 1997, Sutton-Brown 2015) in which participants are invited to take photographs in their everyday lives on relevant themes. Following this, participants uncover the meaning which may be ascribed to their photographs through creative practice with the support and guidance of researchers.
Method 3 will invite participants to express affect and ideas through free writing and drawing practice research led by Dr. Miranda Matthews Head of CAL. Young people will be invited to visualise and verbalise climate change interventions. This method will extend the free writing and drawing practice developed by Miranda and Francis Gilbert, for groups of young people aged 14-18, and for undergraduates (Gilbert and Matthews 2021, Matthews 2021).
We intend that participants will be groups of young Londoners from a number of different communities, with whom the practitioners will extend working relationships. We aim to develop cultural ecologies through participatory research into the Earth crisis, by bringing together young people from communities in schools, and including Goldsmiths undergraduates. The research will make networking connections with Climate Museum UK and with other associated significant initiatives, that will distribute the resources created through the project. Our networking activity will include connection with:-
The Alchemy project: a professional creative music lab and mentoring programme for 14-18 year olds who may be at risk from exclusion at school in the London borough of Lewisham and based at Goldsmiths University. (https://linktr.ee/goldsmithsalchemy).
London Schools Eco-Network: A student-led initiative to raise awareness on environmental issues in and beyond school communities. This is linked to the 'Transform Our World' online, centralised, quality-rated resource hub and the Youth Climate Summit 2020 (https://twitter.com/ldnschoolseco, https://www.lsen.co.uk, https://www.transform-our-world.org/home).
Tower Hamlets Artist Teacher Network: A forum for artist-teachers in the borough of Tower Hamlets, and arts organisations across London, ' to connect; collaborate; create; share good practice; promote arts education and actively empower art teachers to revisit their art practice'. (https://thatnetworklondon.wordpress.com)
The CAL/CMUK Ecologies in Practice project aims to create forms of public engagement that are led by young people, expressing their views on climate research in ways that feel relevant and meaningful to them. We intend to generate new cultural spaces and potential networks, in which young people may take ownership over narratives around the climate crisis, and where sustainable behaviours and creative ideas are integrated and extended.
Method 1 will involve a collaboration between Kimberley Foster of CAL and Bridget McKenzie of CMUK. This practice research method will work with objects, bringing together Kimberley's practice of stimulating dialogue from pedagogical art objects with Bridget's object-based practice, that places 'an eco lens on things'. Objects will ideally be viewed in-person, with an option for socially-distanced viewing if necessary.
Method 2 will involve a collaboration between Kevin Davidson of CAL/CMUK and Michael Kirkpatrick of CAL/Alchemy Music. These practitioners will work with sound and photography, bringing together Michael's practice of socially-engaged music-making with Kevin's practice of arts-based community exchange. This collaboration will draw upon the arts-based method of 'photovoice' (Wang & Burris 1997, Sutton-Brown 2015) in which participants are invited to take photographs in their everyday lives on relevant themes. Following this, participants uncover the meaning which may be ascribed to their photographs through creative practice with the support and guidance of researchers.
Method 3 will invite participants to express affect and ideas through free writing and drawing practice research led by Dr. Miranda Matthews Head of CAL. Young people will be invited to visualise and verbalise climate change interventions. This method will extend the free writing and drawing practice developed by Miranda and Francis Gilbert, for groups of young people aged 14-18, and for undergraduates (Gilbert and Matthews 2021, Matthews 2021).
We intend that participants will be groups of young Londoners from a number of different communities, with whom the practitioners will extend working relationships. We aim to develop cultural ecologies through participatory research into the Earth crisis, by bringing together young people from communities in schools, and including Goldsmiths undergraduates. The research will make networking connections with Climate Museum UK and with other associated significant initiatives, that will distribute the resources created through the project. Our networking activity will include connection with:-
The Alchemy project: a professional creative music lab and mentoring programme for 14-18 year olds who may be at risk from exclusion at school in the London borough of Lewisham and based at Goldsmiths University. (https://linktr.ee/goldsmithsalchemy).
London Schools Eco-Network: A student-led initiative to raise awareness on environmental issues in and beyond school communities. This is linked to the 'Transform Our World' online, centralised, quality-rated resource hub and the Youth Climate Summit 2020 (https://twitter.com/ldnschoolseco, https://www.lsen.co.uk, https://www.transform-our-world.org/home).
Tower Hamlets Artist Teacher Network: A forum for artist-teachers in the borough of Tower Hamlets, and arts organisations across London, ' to connect; collaborate; create; share good practice; promote arts education and actively empower art teachers to revisit their art practice'. (https://thatnetworklondon.wordpress.com)
The CAL/CMUK Ecologies in Practice project aims to create forms of public engagement that are led by young people, expressing their views on climate research in ways that feel relevant and meaningful to them. We intend to generate new cultural spaces and potential networks, in which young people may take ownership over narratives around the climate crisis, and where sustainable behaviours and creative ideas are integrated and extended.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Miranda Matthews (Principal Investigator) |