Moving Bodies Lab researcher guest edits a special issue of Methods in Psychology on Arts-based Methods.
A special issue of Methods in Psychology on ‘Arts-Based Methods in Psychology’ has been published! Co-guest edited by Moving Bodies Lab lead Professor Cassandra Phoenix and Professor Kerry Chamberlain (Massey University, New Zealand), the special issue brings together 14 papers from around the world, which span a range of arts-based methods, research areas, disciplines and practice.
As individual papers, and as a group, the articles document the valuable contributions that arts-based methods can deliver in research – how they enhance rapport and connection, minimise power differentials, allow access to different kinds of information, allow for investigation of sensitive topics, and build communities of research. But, the articles also make it clear that taking an art-based approach brings challenges and dilemmas to research, along with the benefits and rewards in doing so.
Example publications from the special issue include:
Arts-based research: Attending to methods – Cassandra Phoenix & Kerry Chamberlain.
Reflections on hermit crab creative non-fiction methodology: Examples from a narrative study of running fathers – Kerry R. McGannon, Jenny McMahon, Chris Zehntner
Pictures and processes: The use of autophotography to illustrate the experience of physical activity engagement in motherhood – Talia Ritondo, Corliss Bean, Iris Lesser
Arts-based research and the performative paradigm – Candice Boyd, Kaya Barry
Using participatory art-based methods to explore experiences and practices in sexual and reproductive health – Eliza Govender, Phiwe Babalo Nota, Mpume Gumede, Nqobile Ngubane
How not to talk about it: Using digital storytelling with children with anxiety – Diane Macdonald, Chloe Watfern, Katherine M Boydell
Arts-based methods as a trauma-informed approach to research: Making trauma visible and limiting harm – Jenny McMahon, Kerry R. McGannon, Chris Zehntner
Arts-based methods as a critical and decolonising process in global mental health: Reflections on popular discourse, artistic rigour and limitations. – Matthew Elliott
A critical and interpretive synthesis of arts-based methods used by dance therapy researchers: A perspective from the creative arts therapies – Ella Dumaresq, Katrina Skewes McFerran
Combining collaging, phenomenology and photographs to meaningfully interact with participants’ creative self-representations – William Day, Michael Larkin, Rachel Shaw.
In bringing together this special issue of Methods in Psychology, the guest editors hope to encourage others, both within and beyond psychology, to consider – or indeed continue – incorporating these demanding, yet engaging methods into their future research.
All papers published as part of the special issue are Open Access.
