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

Authors

  • Tiina Kukkonen Queen's University
  • Heather E. McGregor Queen's University
  • Micah Flavin Queen's University
  • Amanda Cooper Ontario Tech University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17169/fqs-26.2.4313

Keywords:

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

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.

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Author Biographies

Tiina Kukkonen, Queen's University

Tiina KUKKONEN is an assistant professor of visual arts education at Queen's University, Canada. Tiina has contributed research in the areas of early childhood development through art, artist-school partnerships, and rural arts education. She also has a keen interest in arts-based approaches to research and knowledge translation. The driving force behind her work is the desire to make visual arts and arts education accessible, relevant, and inspiring for all.

Heather E. McGregor, Queen's University

Heather E. McGREGOR is an assistant professor of curriculum theory at Queen's University, Canada. Heather has published in a range of Canadian and international journals on topics including the history of Inuit education and curriculum change in the Canadian Arctic, decolonizing research methodologies, experiential learning, and theorizing history and social studies learning in the context of climate crisis.

Micah Flavin, Queen's University

Micah FLAVIN is an interdisciplinary researcher, teacher, and artist based in Tiohtià:ke/Mooniyaang (Montréal, Quebec). He is interested in wetlands, contradictions, and the cultural politics of emotions.

Amanda Cooper, Ontario Tech University

Amanda COOPER is dean of the Mitch and Leslie Frazer Faculty of Education, and a professor of educational policy and leadership at Ontario Tech University in Canada. Amanda specializes in knowledge mobilization and translation, interdisciplinary collaborations, and measuring research impact across multi-stakeholder networks in public service sectors. With her innovative research program Research Informing Policy, Practice, and Leadership in Education (RIPPLE), she aims to accelerate research impact in public service sectors via multi-stakeholder networks.

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Published

2025-05-26

How to Cite

Kukkonen, T., McGregor, H. E., Flavin, M., & Cooper, A. (2025). Inviting Engagement With Climate Change Education Research: An Arts-Based Knowledge Translation Approach. Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 26(2). https://doi.org/10.17169/fqs-26.2.4313