Creative Methods in Qualitative Research

Creative Methods in Qualitative Research

When & Where:

2 December 2026, 10.00-16.00

Location TBC, University of Brighton

What:

The aims of this creative methods day are to:

• identify opportunities to use creative methods for data collection and data generation
• consider data analysis in qualitative research with a specific focus on how to treat and deal with data that is not textual but comes out of the use of creative methods
• explore the foundations and theoretical underpinning related to these methods in qualitative research.

We will discuss what creativity is, why we should be creative in research and how we can introduce creativity and creative methods in our existing paradigms and methods. We will further consider the principles and process of analysis within qualitative research in general when we discuss if analysis is ever an objective process and if there is a difference between analysing data from linear texts or visual/sensory data.

You will actively experiment with body mapping, poetry writing and photography activities. All tasks are explored in view of 4 guiding questions allowing you to focus on practical, methodological and ethical considerations regarding the approaches presented. You will also have opportunities to practise analysing visual data on its own, in connection with textual data employing the “Systematic Visuo-Textual Analysis” or by employing creative forms of expression.

You will be able to shape the workshop by presenting you own experiences of using creative methods. When you sign up please indicate if you would like to a 5-minute slot for this and what you will present.

In line with the pedagogical principles of social constructivism the workshops are delivered as a mixture of interactive group tasks, discussions and lectures to enable active and experiential learning.

Facilitator:

Nicole Brown, Professor of Creative and Embodied Research Practice at UCL Institute of Education is a leading voice in embodied research. She draws on creative, arts-based methods to challenge conventional approaches to researching ableism, disability, chronic illness, and neurodivergence in higher education. Her research foregrounds lived experience and advocates for new ways of listening, speaking, and representing experience that drive cultural, institutional, and structural change. Her publications include Photovoice Reimagined, Making the Most of Your Research Journal, and Embodied Inquiry: Research Methods.

Who:

This training is for SCDTP students interested in creative methods.

How to join:

SCDTP training: creative research methods for Social sciences – Fill in form