Can We Talk About Race? Disseminating Research Findings With Children Using an Arts-Based Method

[Conference presentation abstract, p5]:The use of theatre and performance in social and health science research is becoming increasingly common. This poster will focus on the use of performance as a means to communicate research results in the field of early childhood education and care (ECEC), in the context of a study exploring how to best support children’s positive identification with race and difference. It will discuss the purpose of using arts-based dissemination methods in ECEC, including its ability to communicate research results beyond the academic community and potential to effect personal and social change. It will explore the possibility of using puppetry as a type of performance with particular relevance and familiarity to young research participants who are often excluded from conventional dissemination methods. Finally, the unique ethical issues of research-based theatre will be discussed.