Making Methods

Overview.

Making Methods was a multi-site event held in November 2020, using creative ways of engaging with people to hear their stories. The event was a showcase of the potential of creative and participatory research methods, and invited participants for a series of fun workshops, talks, and activities across Auckland.

Making Methods was held at three locations across Auckland (The Design Space at North Shore Hospital, St Paul Street Gallery at AUT and Mana Hauora Building at AUT's South Campus). The purpose of the event was to showcase creative design-based methods to stimulate researchers, practitioners, students, and communities alike to understand and be inspired by the possibilities of these research methods to explore complex research questions.

Many emotional, sensory and embodied dimensions of experience lie below the threshold of consciousness and are thus often impossible or at best difficult to articulate in words. Design-based research may provide a unique advantage when it comes to answering complex research questions by way of making the ’intangible tangible’. Experiencing an idea as a tangible concept using the full range of senses can deepen people’s understanding and concurrently provide a space to explore the concept further. Design-based research methods can be adapted to a variety of contexts, serving as a link between people, cultures, generations and socioeconomic classes.

Through a series of workshops, hands-on activities, exhibitions and talks we explored the potential of research through creative inquiry and shared experiences to unpack complex societal issues that affect our individual and collective wellbeing. Feedback on the activities at this event has helped us refine our methods so they can be used in diverse contexts to explore what matters to individuals and groups.

Check out the event page here — Making Methods Event

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The panel discussion held at St Paul Street Gallery was definitely a highlight of the event. Our guest speakers shared some great insights on the importance of finding creative ways to engage with marginalised people and groups whose voices are often missing from the conversations and projects that impact them most. We heard how traditional research methods such as interviews can sometimes be a form of violence (especially towards those living with trauma), who co-creative processes can help promote healing and connection in our communities. Ngā mihi nui to our speakers.

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