Situating Research and Pedagogical Practices Within Identity: Learning Through Kintsugi Collage

This workshop introduces participants to arts-based approaches in both research and teaching through the example of kintsugi collage, a practice inspired by Japanese cultural and philosophical traditions and connected to contemplative pedagogy (see the Concordia's CTL CP-FIG and Open Educational Resource on Contemplative Pedagogies for more details).

The session explores how culturally grounded artistic practices can function both as participatory research methods and as reflective pedagogical activities.

Featuring Amy Cooper, a PhD candidate and experienced community practitioner, the workshop draws on her own cultural positionality and experience using arts-based approaches in educational and research contexts.

Through the kintsugi collage activity, participants will also have an opportunity to reflect on, and reconsider challenges, tensions, or forms of resistance encountered in their teaching, research, work, or personal development towards repair and learning.

The workshop includes:

• an introduction to arts-based methods in research and contemplative pedagogy, with examples from the speaker’s own work.
• an introduction to kintsugi collage as an example of arts-based practice drawing from Japanese culture and philosophy
• a hands-on collage activity as both a reflective teaching activity and a participatory meaning-making method
• group reflection and discussion on identity, methodology, and applications in teaching and research

This workshop is intended for graduate students, researchers, educators, and faculty members interested in exploring how cultural identity and positionality can inform pedagogical and research practices, as well as those seeking reflective and creative approaches to ongoing personal, academic, or professional challenges.

This event is part of EmpowerGrad events by the CSLP in collaboration with Concordia Japanese Language and Culture Community and the Centre for Teaching and Learning’s Faculty Interest Group on Contemplative Pedagogies (CP FIG)