Creative Methods for Research and Community Engagement Summer School took place 6 to 8 July 2017 at Keele University and New Vic Theatre.

The event was held at the New Vic Theatre and Keele University and featured academic speakers from Keele University as well as practitioners from The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and the New Vic Borderlines on topics such as arts based methodologies, participatory mapping, transformatory research, co-production, geo-poetics and creative writing. The summer school was truly transdisciplinary with colleagues from KMS (Mihaela Kelemen; Emma Surman and Lindsay Hamilton), Music (Rajmil Fischman), School of Humanities (Ceri Morgan), ISTM (Dimitra Blana), School of Pharmacy (the KAVE Team) contributing to its delivery. The event was facilitated by acclaimed author on creative methods: Helen Kara.

The programme was as follows:

Day 1 – Thursday 6 July. New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme

• 11.00 Introductory session in the auditorium  
  Introductions, what to expect from the summer school with Helen Kara
• 11.55 Move to Workspace
• 12.05 Introduction to arts-based research: Professor Mihaela Kelemen, CASIC Director
• 12.30 Q&A; discussion
• 13.00 Lunch
• 14.00 Small group work: design a research project from a short written brief, using arts-based methods alongside traditional methods as appropriate: Sue Moffat
• 14.45 Prepare a three-minute presentation, in groups, of your research design, using arts-based methods: Sue Moffat
• 15.30 Tea
• 16.00 Presentations of group work: Helen Kara
• 17.00 Discussion and Q&A on arts-based methods: Helen Kara
• 17.30 Close

Day 2 – Friday 7 July. New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme

• 9.30 Coffee
• 10.00 Introduction to transformative research frameworks and Indigenous methodologies with Helen Kara (auditorium)
• 10.20 "Transformative research frameworks are designed to redress power imbalances. To what extent can they achieve this aim?" Open space technology (OST) part 1: Helen Kara
• 10.50 Coffee
• 11.20 "Transformative research frameworks are designed to redress power imbalances. To what extent can they achieve this aim?" OST part 2: Helen Kara
• 11.55 Move to Workspace
• 12.05 Big group discussion of transformative research frameworks and OST: Helen Kara
• 12.30 Introduction to mixed methods research: Helen Kara
• 13.00 Lunch
• 14.00 Button exercise to map food poverty: Emma Surman
• 14.20 Introduction to mapping (Pathways through Participation): Véronique Jochum
• 14.50 Participatory mapping in practice: Véronique Jochum
• 16.00 Tea
• 16.30 Analysing the data: Véronique Jochum
• 17.00 Reflections and learning: Véronique Jochum
• 17.30 Close

Day 3 – Saturday 8 July. Keele University campus.

• 9.30 Coffee
• 10.00 Introduction to research using technology – presentation, Helen Kara
• 10.30 Hands-on work with technology in three venues: The Kave (Keele Active Virtual Environment) and Moser Sound Studio for interactive virtual technology, and MakerSpace for a practical session on creative programming for research. Everyone will have time in each venue plus a 20-minute break during the morning.
• 13.00 Lunch
• 14.00 Introduction to creative academic writing – presentation, Helen Kara
• 14.15 Ethnography as advocacy or 'people writing for animals' – presentation, Lindsay Hamilton
• 14.45 Introduction to geopoetics (creative responses to place) – Ceri Morgan
• 15.00 Creative academic writing exercise – Helen Kara
• 15.20 Creative academic writing – discussion in pairs/threes – Helen Kara
• 15.40 Creative academic writing – big group discussion – Helen Kara
• 16.00 Final Q&A, closing remarks – Mihaela Kelemen
• 16.30 Close

Below are a few testimonials from our 2017 cohort:

“The CASIC Summer School exceeded my expectations. The different sessions were so interesting (fun even!); presenters were very experienced researchers, well-informed and everything was underpinned by theory. I came away inspired! As such, I have been encouraging colleagues and doctoral students to consider attending in the future.”

“Brilliant atmosphere and with people who were ready to share their experiences to complement the workshop content.”

“Sharing knowledge about a project implemented in a community context was ingenious.”

“You have created a wonderful, stimulating learning environment”

“A really enjoyable experience. I feel very inspired by the three days. I am so glad I came!”

“Most connected conference I have been to, a little community was formed by doing the different exercises which illustrates the power of play!”

“The content provided a wide picture of what creative methods are.”

“Challenged me outside of my comfort zone – introduced me to new ideas and methods.”

“A fun and interesting three days which opened my eyes to new ideas and possibilities.”

“One of the best conferences – well timed across the three days, well organised in terms of the different slots and different voices, both through the presentations but also of the other participants through the workshops.”

“The CASIC School has been wonderful. I want to congratulate you and thank you. More people should have this experience: who does not want to live in the world of knowledge, play and the beauty of the arts? I had a great time and I got my best energy for my next journey. I will come back soon.”