Participatory Research Using Creative Methods

Diaspora Woman, Community Centre Pueblito Paisa, the UK and Ireland Hub in support of the Colombian Truth Commission, the University of Reading.

Participatory Research Using Creative Methods

Historically an invisible migrant community, in recent years growing scholarly and public-policy attention has been paid to Latin American migration to the UK. This research has been paralleled by the increased visibility of community campaigns advocating for the rights of Latin American migrants, alongside the emergence of a rich creative and artistic field of diasporic cultural practices.

This one-day workshop will explore the use of creative participatory methodologies in conducting research with the Latin American community in the UK. Bringing together academic researchers, activists and representatives of community groups, the workshop will highlight examples of innovative research practices led by Latin American migrants, as well as explore how creative and collaborative methodologies can enable more ethical research engagements between academics and migrant groups.

The workshop will provide space for learning and experience-sharing about creative participatory methodologies between participants, as well as include an immersive memory-making activity. Funded by a grant from Research England, the workshop will also showcase the initial findings from a pilot participatory project, ‘Caminando hacia la paz: ciclo de talleres participativos’, led by Diaspora Woman, Community Centre Pueblito Paisa, the UK and Ireland Hub in support of the Colombian Truth Commission and the University of Reading, which brought together Colombian migrants and refugees to co-produce a series of creative outputs around the themes of conflict resolution, community and social transformation.

Speakers:

• Marina Echeverría, Diaspora Woman, Martha Elsesser, Diaspora Woman
• Jael de la Luz García, Community Organiser and Grassroots Educator
• Marta Hinestroza, Director of Community Centre Pueblito Paisa; Interviewer for the Colombian Truth Commission in the UK
• Professor Cathy McIlwaine, Professor of Geography, King’s College Lond
• Work
• Woron
• Dr María Soledad Montañez, Lecturer in Spanish, University of Glasgow
• Verónica Posada Álvarez, PhD Candidate, University of Westminster
• Luis Fernando Sepúlveda López, UK and Ireland Hub in support of the Colombian Truth Commission

This event will take place in-person at the University of Reading and will be held in both English and Spanish. Lunch and refreshments provided.

Places are limited. If you are interested in attending, please contact Cherilyn Elston: c.elston@reading.ac.uk