The Role of Everyday Creativity in Creative Research Methods
Sandpit

Thursday 20th April 2023, University of Brighton (UK) and online

This interdisciplinary event featured talks from high profile international speakers across creative, academic, community and commissioning fields, including Prof Pam Burnard (University of Cambridge), Jane Willis (Creative and Credible), Dr Jane Povey (National Centre for Creative Health), Elma Brenner (Wellcome), Prof Sandra Faulkner (Bowling Green State University) and Prof Liz Mackinlay (Southern Cross University), as well as discussion and debate, in response to provocations around…

  • What is the role of everyday creativity within creative research methods?
  • How can creative research methods be mobilised to engage and empower communities?
  • What would it mean to decolonise creative methods in this context?
  • How do creative research methods speak to themes around health, wellbeing, the home and placemaking, and arts, science and technology?

View the programme here: ECRN creative methods sandpit Abridged Programme

Session Materials

  • Dr Helen Johnson’s opening remarks:

  • Jane Willis, Willis Newson
  • Dr Jane Povey, National Centre for Creative Health, NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin: Slides

  • Elma Brenner, Wellcome: Slides

  • Prof Pam Burnard, University of Cambridge: Slides

  • Prof Sandra L Faulkner, Bowling Green State University: Slides

  • Prof Liz Mackinlay, Southern Cross University
  • Postgraduate panel with Laharee Mitra, Chantal Spencer and Queenie Clarke, University of Brighton
  • Panel discussion with Dr Helen Johnson, University of Brighton, Prof Owen Evans, Edge Hill University, Nick Ewbank, Nick Ewbank Associates, Prof Norma Daykin, University of the West of England, Prof Louise Mansfield, Brunel University, Prof Sonia Contera, University of Oxford and Tony Kalume, Diversity Lewes
  • Dr Helen Johnson’s found poem from the event:

Everyday Creativity: Towards an International Research Network

Monday 13th June 2022, University of Brighton, UK

This event offered an opportunity to share ideas, understandings, and ways of working with regard to everyday creativity (EC).  It was aimed at: academics and postgraduate researchers from the social sciences, arts, humanities and beyond; creative practitioners (including craftspeople, creative writers, comic creators, comedians and others); public health and other health professionals; and members of community/third sector organisations.

The conference explored everyday creativity through four themes:

  1. The role of EC in enriching creative research methods (Theme lead: Dr Helen Johnson, University of Brighton)
  2. EC, the home and placemaking. including pandemic responses (Theme lead: Prof Owen Evans, Edge Hill University)
  3. EC, health and wellbeing (Theme leads: Prof Louise Mansfield, Brunel University and Prof Norma Daykin, University of the West of England)
  4. Arts, science and technology interfaces in EC (Theme lead: Prof Sonia Contera, University of Oxford)

Download the full programme here

Pre-recorded Submissions and Session Materials

  • Muna Al-Jawad, Gaurish Chawla and Neil Singh, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, ‘Collaborative auto-ethnography around decolonising the curriculum: COMICS! SONGS! POEMS!’: Slides
  • Chloe Asker, University of Exeter, Victoria Tischler, University of Exeter, Hannah Zeilig, University of the Arts London, ‘Everyday creativity in Culture Box: Using remote and digital creative activities to promote social inclusion during the pandemic’:

 

  • Julia Lockheart, Swansea College of Art, University of Wales Trinity Saint David and Goldsmiths University of London and Mark Blagrove, Swansea University, ‘DreamsID’: Dream narrative and painting
  • Pip McDonald, Royal Agricultural University, ‘Do techno-poets dream of electric sheep? Exploring the potential of techno-auto-ethnographic performance poetry as a creative approach to research methodology’:

  • Amy Mallet, independent and Nicola Wydenbach, Royal College of Music, ‘HerStory: Ev’ry stitch in the quilt’:

  • Vanessa Marr, University of Brighton, ‘Women and domesticity – What’s your perspective?’: Slides
  • Emily Joy Rickard, Nottingham Trent University, ‘Knitwell: The role of creativity when recording emotions in knitting’: Website
  • Julia Roberts and Catherine Orbach, Culture Shift, ‘Everyday Creativity: How lockdown brought Public Health and Arts practitioners together in East Sussex’: Summary report and online film
  • Tom Roberts, University of Brighton, ‘Creative inquiry into the everyday: Noisemaking with household objects’:

  • Chantal Spencer, University of Brighton, ‘Making a mind up’: Photos