Breaking boundaries with spoken word poetry as a transformative research method

What is it about?

There is a common idea that arts and sciences are very different. People often see sciences as strict and factual, while they think of arts as more flexible and based on personal feelings. This chapter challenges that idea by exploring how arts and science are connected. The study looks at how youth slam/spoken word educators use spoken word poetry, poetic tools like blackout poetry, data poetry, and free verse to show how spoken words can help social scientists. This creative approach makes research more emotional and easier to understand. It also helps reach more people and supports social justice and resilience.

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Photo by Trust "Tru" Katsande on Unsplash

Photo by Trust "Tru" Katsande on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This approach is important because it breaks down the barriers between different fields and subjects. Using spoken word poetry as a way to study things lets researchers develop new knowledge and connect with more people. This method is not only easy to understand but also more emotional and human than normal academic work. It encourages us to question and challenge the conditions that give rise to hardships. As a result, spoken word poetry promotes a more inclusive and transformative way of understanding the world. KEY TAKEAWAY: Spoken word poetry, used as a research method, can change how research is done and shared. It makes academic knowledge easier to understand and more interesting. It also helps find new and important ideas that traditional methods might lack. By trying different and creative ways, researchers can break down barriers between different subjects and create truly new and important things. This research relates to the following Sustainable Development Goals: • SDG 4: Quality Education • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities • SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions • SDG 5: Gender Equality • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being