Output details

Making Wellbeing: Devising a Template for Participatory Applied Arts Research into Health and Wellbeing (2010-13)

Research Project Description

This project involved the devising of a portmanteau technique (‘Frame Throwing’) that builds upon a combination of visual arts practices and applied theatre exercises initiated by Augusto Boal. It was developed as a means for extrapolating, testing and refining client-led practice-based research that is non-hierarchical and enables all participants to collaborate in formulating research questions. The testing of this methodology across social, cultural and generational difference demonstrates its efficacy as a tool for developing community health policies across a variety of national and international contexts.

Research Imperatives

To develop a template for community consultation, based on participatory techniques that can be rolled out across differing health and wellbeing contexts.

To make ‘Frame Throwing’ transparent and accessible to non-arts practitioners and researchers.

To impart this method to community members to facilitate their direct communication with policy-makers and health professionals.

To present policy-makers with participatory consultation as a complement to existing methodologies.

Peer Assessment/Quality Indicators

Client-led participatory consultation commissioned by NHS/Newham LINk into proposed East London hospital closures: Stratford Town Hall (March 2010).

Screening of Respect and Dignity by Bhavesh Hindocha: a film documenting the ‘Frame Throwing’ process for community members and policy makers at Theatre Royal, Stratford East (21 March 2011).

A Living Map – Bronze medal for Creative Cultural Projects by Podium, Cultural Olympiad (3 May 2012).

Do I Have To Go? Child-led research project with Paediatric Dentistry, QMUL Institute of Dentistry, foregrounded as a case study of best practice by Research Councils UK (October 2013).

Research Outputs

Dissemination of ‘Frame Throwing’ template in a series of national and international workshops.

Series of films documenting the deployment of the template in workshops with a range of participants.

‘The Politics of Making’, in Caoimhe McAvinchey (ed.), Performance and Community: Commentary and Case Studies (London: Methuen, 2013), pp.75-104.