Mural Painting and Inclusive Research in Cameroon: Implementation and Impact at the University of Bamenda Campus

Abstract

This paper describes the use of mural-making as part of the knowledge mobilization activities of an international research partnership project. The mural depicts the technical and academic activities of people with disabilities in a university setting as meaningful action in inclusive research processes. The main objective of this 30-meter mural painting on a wall in the University of Bamenda was to demonstrate that inclusive research could encourage the inclusion and participation of people with disabilities in all areas of academic and professional activities of the university. A mural-making protocol was developed by the faculty and implemented by the team. It included the collection, analysis, and understanding of data on inclusion; design of drawings and the mural; wall preparation; plotting; and execution of the actual mural. The brightly colored mural now draws attention to inclusion, provides a vision of hopefulness, and complements the narrative character of inclusive education and research on campus.

Keywords

• murals
• knowledge mobilization
• mural painting
• visual expression
• inclusive research
• students with disabilities
• university milieu