Using social research and development methods in artist-mediated workshops with Myanmar refugee women to design a culturally responsive community resettlement center

Abstract

The authors describe an arts-based social research and development approach in helping Myanmar refugee women share their ideas about the elements of a culturally responsive community support system for their resettlement in Dallas, Texas. To illuminate the relevance of the arts in social research and development using group work methods in the form of workshops, the authors involved 60 Myanmar refugee women in the co-design of a community resource in partnership with social workers. The authors recommend that evaluators and program planners gain skills in artist-mediated participatory group work methods in resettlement using the process of social research and development.

Keywords: Arts; Cultural responsiveness; Refugees; Resettlement; Social research and development.