How to make arts-based interventions appropriate for young refugees?: towards a decolonial framework

ABSTRACT

There is now a well-established tradition of using participatory research methods, of which arts-based interventions constitute an important kind, for working with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. At the same time, literature on decolonisation, and how decolonial research frameworks can be applied to specific research contexts (such as migration and refuge in varied settings) is still emerging. Therefore, this article discusses the methods employed, and feedback obtained in a 2018–2019 project in south west Sydney involving university students partnering with young ex refugees to produce short films on belonging. While the methods themselves are not novel, they were carefully chosen to help facilitate cultural safety, agency of participants, and move towards a decolonial research paradigm. The feedback from collaborating organisations and participants is also unpacked to arrive at the criteria which could be applied to similar projects interested in a decolonising agenda. Ultimately, I argue that this is not an end in itself, but helps build local capacity for change and momentum for decision-making organisations to also institute more consultative practices.

KEYWORDS:

• Arts-based method
• decolonial
• migrants
• refugees
• youth

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).