'The story behind the murals...': creative art, human rights and critical social work at the University of Thrace - Greece

• Published in: Social work education 2021-04, Vol.40 (3), p.350-366
• Main Authors: Lamprou, Anastasia, Kandylaki, Agapi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Action research; Attitudes; College students; creative art; critical; Critical social work; Critical thinking; Curricula; Embodiment; Equal opportunities; Equal opportunity; Equal rights; Experience; Focus groups; graffiti project; Group work; Human rights; human rights perspective; Interviews; Learning; Occupational qualifications; Professional practice; Racism; reflection; Research design; School environment; Social work; Social work education; Stereotypes; Student attitudes; Students; Supervision
• ISSN: 0261-5479; 1470-1227
• DOI: 10.1080/02615479.2019.1703932

This paper presents an action research involving the design and implementation of a creative art project and the analysis of in-depth individual and focus group interviews to reflect on the participants' experience of 'learning by doing'. It was held by a group of undergraduate and postgraduate social work students in the University of Thrace - Greece, under the supervision of a social work professor (one of the writers). The aim was to enhance the school environment and the students' critical thinking. As critical and human rights perspectives are central in the social work academic curriculum, they formed the basis for this project. Empowering students to tackle stereotypes, challenge racist attitudes, promote equal opportunities and defend human and social rights are prerequisites for social work qualification. Creative and art group work has proved essential for the embodiment of critical practice and a challenging experience through 'learning by doing'. How creative art may engage in critical thinking is explored, by the data analysis of the recorded semi-structured individual and focus group interviews transcripts, to reveal how the experience of participating in the project has affected students' attitudes, perspectives and feelings about their studies.