Opting in instead of opting out: an open-ended, arts-based workshop method for exploring refugees' experiences of disasters

Purpose Arts-based research has received growing interest and is suggested to be appropriate for sensitive topics or working with vulnerable people. This article explores the use of a multi-arts-based workshop, as an open enquiry approach, to explore refugees' experiences of disasters. This method was co-designed and led with a refugee capacity building programme in London, UK. Design/methodology/approach The method is thought to be novel in disaster research as it uses an open-enquiry approach. The method was intentionally designed for participants to have more control over their engagement in the workshop, including a choice of art form, freedom of interpretation of the research topic, and opting into different formats of data collection including participants' art, supporting blurbs, discussions with the research team, and presentations. Findings The open-ended approach allowed for the quality and range of data collected to provide a comprehensive understanding of refugees' daily lives and experiences of disasters in the United Kingdom, including their access to information, resources, and services. Participants unique choices of engagement, by opting into different forms of data collection, neither obstructed the running of the workshop nor impacted the quality of the findings. Originality/value The design and praxis of this multi-arts-based workshop method is unique as participants were able to focus on topics most relevant to them, whilst controlling how their stories were shared and their level of engagement with the data collection. It is thought that this approach could be replicated, fully or to an extent, for other disaster research and geographical locations.