Illustrating research: Graphic novels as method and critical praxis

For many researchers in Social Science, storytelling is a critical part of our work – we gather stories to inform our studies and tell stories to share our findings. However, written and oral communication are our primary tools for doing so. With this participatory seminar, we point to creative methods, specifically illustrated graphic novels, as a tool to help researchers understand stories in different ways or uncover those that otherwise might be inaccessible; and as a tool for making research findings more accessible and tangible, especially for audiences beyond academia.

Through interactive sessions, participants in this two-part seminar will explore the use of graphic novels for prompting analytical and critical thinking, including grappling with tensions between reality and fiction, ethical considerations as well as dilemmas of depicting others and their stories. We will also discuss different purposes of visual storytelling, such as dissemination, popular science communication and long-term engagement with research participants. Workshop facilitators will draw upon their joint experience, unpacking both the researcher’s and illustrator’s roles, using a graphic novel about the armed conflict in Colombia as an example.

Participants will not only discuss these aspects but will actively engage with them by practicing the methods of illustration, storytelling, and graphic novel design. The workshop acknowledges the centrality of emotions in research and is based on collective knowledge building. Therefore, participants must expect to engage in activities such as discussions, narration reading, and active drawing.

Pre-workshop preparation 

We invite workshop participants to bring one of their papers/articles (or any other paper you wish to illustrate) and if possible, some artistic tools for drawings (markers, crayons, etc.). 

Programme

14:00–14:45    Illustrating women and war: an example from Colombia
15:00–15:45    Technique, fiction, and ethical dilemmas  
16:00–17:45    Illustrating our own research & how to awaken curiosity | final discussion

Organisers:

Christie Nicoson and Agnese Pacciardi, Department of Political Science

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Presentations

Priscyll Anctil Avoine is a researcher in Feminist Security Studies and an Associate Senior Lecturer at the Department of War Studies at the Swedish Defence University (Sweden). Her work focuses on women’s political militancy in leftist insurgencies and post-war settings, especially in Colombia. In her work, she has used several art-based methods, such as body-mapping, illustrated story telling, collage, among others. Priscyll is also actively involved in the activities of the Fundación Lüvo collective (Colombia, Canada), a feminist and anti-racist organization.
Contact: priscyll [dot] anctilavoine [at] fhs [dot] se (priscyll[dot]anctilavoine[at]fhs[dot]se) 

Zulay Rueda Rueda from Colombia migrated to the United States in 2018. She is a Social Worker from the Universidad Industrial de Santander (Colombia), with a specialization in Care Policies with Gender Inclusion from the Latin American Committee of Social Sciences (Comité Latinoamericano de Ciencias Sociales). She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Work at University of Missouri – St. Louis (UMSL). She is also a painter and illustrator committed to feminist and social justice causes. Currently, Zulay works at the International Welcome Center in the Ritenour district of St. Louis (United States).
Contact: zucaruru29 [at] gmail [dot] com (zucaruru29[at]gmail[dot]com)  
 

Practicalities

The seminar includes a coffee break.

Arranged by:
Lund Social Science Methods Centre
Agenda 2030 Graduate School