Inviting Engagement With Climate Change Education Research: An Arts-Based Knowledge Translation Approach

Abstract

Arts-based knowledge translation (ABKT) leverages the arts to communicate research knowledge to target audiences with the aim of deepening empathy, sparking dialogue, and inspiring research-informed policy and action within diverse research contexts. In the project we describe here, the development of an art exhibit, ABKT activities supported by an artist-researcher collaboration were used to engage a variety of education audiences with climate change. Utilizing KUKKONEN and COOPER's (2019) interdisciplinary four-phase planning framework to illuminate the outcomes of the art exhibit, this article helps to show ABKT in action. We make the framework tangible for researchers interested in arts-based approaches and share what we learned about applying ABKT to engage audiences with research in the area of climate change and ecojustice education. We conclude with suggestions for building artist-researcher partnerships and embracing playfulness in ABKT.

Keywords

• knowledge mobilization
• knowledge translation
• arts-based methods
• artist-researcher partnerships
• arts-based co-production
• climate change education