Community Research Methods Taster: The Power of Poetry

Itching to explore something a bit outside of your academic comfort zone? Have you ever wondered how art and poetry can be incorporated into research? Are you curious about ways to push research methods to capture the vibrance of diverse, lived experiences? 

Join the Community Research Initiative for our first Community Methods Taster to explore and build a unique set of skills in community-engaged research methods.  

We are thrilled to host poetic inquiry expert Dr Marie Clancy, to lead an interactive session to explore poetic inquiry as a vibrant and community-centred research method. This session will explore how poetry can be used as a method to increase inclusion and lived experience expertise, especially when exploring sensitive topics.

So, what are creative methods?

Creative methods have the power to draw readers closer to the lived stories of participants through their artistry and craft. These methods can push research to be more inclusive, particularly with communities where English is not their first language. Poetry and art can empower communities to voice issues which are important to them, but are often overlooked or unasked.

What can I expect?

Hear the story of two real research studies incorporating poetic inquiry from the researcher herself

Finding it hard to picture what poetry could look like in practice? Marie will walk you through two research studies exploring the experiences of refugee and asylum-seeking families in children’s palliative care in the West Midlands (Clancy et al. 2025) and of neonatal palliative care for culturally diverse families nationwide (Clancy and Thomas 2025). Through these examples, you'll start to discover the potential benefits of using poetry in research.

Try it out for yourself by creating your own poetry

Marie will help you explore an exciting tool called a “route-map” to explore using participant-voice poetry in research (Clancy et al. 2025). You’ll get the chance to play and experiment with creating your own poems to really feel what it's like to use poetry as a creative method. Marie will also guide you on how to reflect how this method might be useful in your own research or work beyond the classroom. 

Got questions? We've got you covered!

Do I have to be a PhD researcher or professional research to attend?

Absolutely not. This session is open to any student at any level. Undergraduates, master’s students, PhD researchers, and anyone simply curious about creative approaches to research is very welcome to join us. Poetic inquiry is all about widening participation and exploring new ways of understanding lived experience, so beginners are genuinely welcome. If you want to explore how research can be more inclusive, this session is for you!

Do you have to be from a specific discipline to attend? 

Not at all. Students from all disciplines are encouraged to join — whether you’re in social sciences, health, arts, engineering, business, or anything in between. Creative research methods can be used in community work, design, education, health, policy, and beyond. If you’re curious about community‑engaged research, you’ll fit right in.

What if I am not a qualitative researcher?

You’re still completely welcome. This taster session is designed for people who are:

• new to qualitative research
• curious about alternative methods
• looking to broaden their methodological toolkit
• interested in community‑centred or inclusive approaches

You don’t need prior experience. All you need is an open mind and a willingness to experiment with poetry as a research tool.

About the Community Research Initiative 

We are a part of the Students' Union Social Impact Team. We bring people together across the student-community divide to explore the possibility of creating socially impactful research with and for the community. From discovering new ways of working to co-creating research with local communities, we are here to walk with students through their community research journey.