How do we see ourselves as Student researchers and

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Nov 30, 2016 - them better and build up a great friendship not only with them but with .... Thursday - a Tin Ring for Holocaust Memorial Day. Today is Holocaust ...
How do we see ourselves as Student researchers and Staff researchers working with student researchers?

This unique opportunity provided me with a pathway of critical enquiry and peer learning. The research demands enabled me to further my critical contextual learning and creative project design. Rosie Goode TQEF Student 2015/16 As an artist/academic I process testimony transferring the data into a theatrical landscape Jane Arnfield 2015/16

TQEF conference Northumbria University th 30 November 2016 Jane Arnfield (Associate Professor, Performing Arts) and Richard Kotter (Senior Lecturer in Human Geography) Defiant Voices: Engaging students in a multidisciplinary collaborative research journey

Performance as Living History • • • • •

Retracing Rerouting Reactivating Remembering Replacing

TQEF project = Defiant Voices

Connecting Academic & Student Research

How does our research impact on the public? What is our core research question ? TQEF 2015/16

Core Question: What requirements do human beings deploy to survive physical and emotional trauma from a human made catastrophe?

Teaching & Learning Aims & Objectives One aim is to uncover archetypal themes of survival within the factual evidence sourced from testimony. Actions Then to capture further stories which are subsequently released within an audience.

Research Rich Learning Actions Investigate coping strategies and mechanisms that occur when the body begins to break down Investigate the meaning of risk Investigate coping strategies connected to life threatening situations



Rosie Goole – reflective end evaluation by student researcher on the project “This project enabled me to work alongside two other student researchers with an agreed end goal of developing and trialling a pioneering research methodology focused on the impact of the performance of The Tin Ring and the workshop programme The Suitcase of Survival. The aim was to investigate audiences’ response and wellbeing perspective, enabling evaluation of impact to take place, applicable in the range of settings i.e. formal education, health projects and young people settings both nationally and internationally. From the beginning of this project it was understood that the outputs generated would involved myself and the other two student researchers to undertake discrete research, creating and implementing a bespoke research framework, presenting the results and finally producing a publicly-available online end-ofproject report. This unique opportunity provided me with a pathway of critical enquiry and peer learning. In addition, the research demands of this project enabled me to develop further my own methodologies of critical contextual learning, develop my facilitation and data gathering skills while feeding into creative project design and management.







Prior to starting this project, potential outcomes included to evaluate the impact of performance on the spectators, to create and questionnaire to support these two evaluation methods, to analyse the data for patterns of behaviour which was influenced or changed from seeing the performance, to interview participants in the workshop in order to evaluate their practical engagement with biographical narratives both their own and others and finally to reconnect with a sample of spectators three to six months after the workshop and performances to see and documents any new changes or comments. In order to achieve these aims and objectives which were clearly agreed and set out at the start of the project a timeframe for the research project including key dates i.e. of performances and workshops was set out. We then worked around these dates developing the appropriate methodologies in order to collect as much data as possible within this time frame. In addition, communication was a key skill throughout the project; myself and the other two researchers met with Jane Arnfield and Richard Kotter regularly (often at least once a week) and kept in constant contact via email particularly over the break from university such as the Christmas and Easter break. In addition, it was also important throughout the project to keep in contact and up to date with external partners such as the members of The Forge and Props as the project was coordinated alongside these bodies. The contribution and opinions from these external bodies was important for us as student researchers to guide our methods which we were developing. As a student I was engaged in the project largely to develop an appropriate methodology for the research and then to trial this at workshops and performances which had been set up by Jane Arnfield and The Forge. I feel like this was a very worthwhile and valuable experience both for me individually and for the team. This project allowed me to opportunity to get to know and work alongside two peers on my course that prior to this project I did not know and had not worked with. This improved my student experience as it allowed me to work with new people who I would now consider friends and who I have engaged in other work with throughout the university since this project. The project also allowed me to work within a department of the university which I knew very little about prior to this project enabling me to work alongside new members of university staff.”

Shohaib Gohar– reflective end evaluation by student researcher on the project “This project sought to analyse the research question “To what extent does this form of biographical theatre stimulate the audience's personal narratives/stories?” Thus, being the main objective of the project was to creatively construct a way by which we could carry out research in an effective manner to answer this research question. Personally, this project was a great and fantastic opportunity to work in concordance with the Arts department and helped me learn a lot about the discourse which was great. In addition, working alongside my fellow peers was a great chance to get to know them better and build up a great friendship not only with them but with Jane Arnfield who was fantastic in giving us support for the research. It was great for me to enhance many skills of mine during this research project which included various ones such as verbal communication, team work, time management, self-confidence as well as many more.







It was a thoroughly great student experience and one which I would recommend fellow future students taking upon the challenge as it is only one which offers great benefits and an opportunity to increase knowledge as well as your own personal skills and to make great and valued friendships with everyone involved in the project. Personally, from my perspective the research methods which were carried out in this project certainly helped me in my discipline. In particular the dissertation module where the research part of this project increased my knowledge in qualitative and quantitative methods. I loved this project. The outcomes were great as I believe I came out with an increased skill set as well as making great friendship and as well as mainly having fun with this project. It really was a highlight for me at my time at university and in particular working with Richard Kotter and Jane Arnfield. These two really did make the project fun, engaging and worthwhile. Thank You! The project was successful we carried out extensive research at various event which brought about some great data to be used in the analysis part of the project. Indeed the output of this module highlighted amongst the three core learning outcomes of the module which was cooperation, self-reliance and teamwork and one which I fully recommend for future peers to continue.



Farjana Ali– reflective end evaluation by student researcher on the project “My specific duties undertaken during the placement were to; qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the impact of performance on spectators, create a questionnaire to support these two evaluation methods, analyse the data for patterns of behaviours which may be influenced/changed after the workshop or performance, develop further methodologies of critical contextual learning, develop facilitation and data gathering skills, feed into creature project design and management, work in a team alongside two additional students and external organisations and to work in a given time frame whilst ensuring the project is completed to the highest possible standard. I fulfilled my duties by discussing qualitative and quantitative methods with the group in order to create a well suited questionnaire. From the discussion I developed and re-developed the questionnaire which was used to evaluate the impact of the workshop and performance on spectators. From every workshop the researchers and I observed the participants, from this we discussed the observation data within meetings in order to see if there were any patterns which may have been influenced or changed by the workshop or performance.

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We had to take into account the variables such as the group of participants themselves and of course the venue and how these may have effected data patterns. Moreover, the observations by the assistants researchers (initial and later observations) helped shape the questionnaires and interview questions. I believe that the other research assistants and I were integral to framing and furthering the project as we often attended scheduled meetings with the head researcher in order to discuss the project and further advance the research. Overall there were many outcomes of the project such as gaining and improving key skills that aided me with university modules such as research skills and critical thinking skills . As a research assistant these were the most important skill to have, being able to understand the logical connection between ideas and data. I implemented this skill when coming up with concepts relating to previous ideas mentioned in the meetings with the assistant researchers and senior researchers. Additionally it is a highly important skill in the workplace because it is always important to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical connection between ideas. Moreover this project has assisted me for future careers as the skills mentioned above are substantially important for graduate jobs. As I am considering a career as a social researcher, this placement was very important as research and critical thinking skills are arguably the most essential skills within this field. By the end of the research project we managed to receive an adequate amount of questionnaire responses. The amount was enough to be analysed, to find out the impacts of the play and workshop in different locations and on different individuals. Most importantly, as research assistants the others and I were successful within project as we completed our set tasks and duties. I had multiple objectives and aims but my main personal target was to gain experience in the research field as not only would it help with improving my research methods for university but for any future jobs involving any research elements. My personal target went hand in hand with the aim of the placement which was to develop a methodology to assess the impact of performance on the audience in a diverse range of settings. A smaller objective of mine was to develop my communication skills both to individuals and to group members when presenting findings/results. By the end of the placement I had learned how to communicate to individuals and participants in a research setting. I completed my personal objective as I gained experience in the research field and I gained knowledge in terms of methodological research.

The Tin Ring Investigating the recovery processes of Zdenka Fantlova who survived virtually the entire Nazi extermination process. http://www.thetinring.com/

Theatre of the Real It is not typical verbatim/ documentary theatre based on factual truth – it is Zdenka Fantlova’s truth. It is Theatre of the Real at its best. Professor of Drama Carol Martin Tisch School of Arts NYU

The Tin Ring Imperial War Museum North in Manchester Sunday 24th January 2016 7:30pm til 8:30pm The Tin Ring @THETINRING Great to be back in the #NorthWest @IWMNorth Sunday night for a special performance @HolocaustUK @NorthumbriaUni @ace_thenorth @TheForgeUK

IWM North @IWMNORTH We are looking forward to an emotive and sold out performance.

Now comes something, which afterwards I have called your survival kit, you don’t open it, it’s there and in times of crisis it opens. It’s got nothing to with your head, there’s no intellectual effort to apply. An inner voice is directing you, telling you what to do and what not to do. The Tin Ring by Zdenka Fantlova, Adapted by Jane Arnfield & Mike Alfreds, Directed by Mike Alfreds http://www.thetinring.com/suitcase-of-survival/suitcase-of-survival-training

http://www.thetinring.com/suitcase-of-survival/suitcase-of-survival-training

Key educational areas and personal life skills are explored in the programme, including: - raising awareness and educating about the Holocaust from the perspective of a survivor - group and individual working - decision making - positive thinking - the importance of sharing with and listening to others - identity - active citizenship

PROPS PROPS is a charity who provide support to parents and partners of alcohol and drug misusers in the Tyneside area. This part of the project involved delivering a ‘Suitcase of Survival’ workshop to carers of young people misusing drugs before

performing ‘The Tin Ring’ the following day.

http://www.newcastleprops.org.uk /

Greenfield School Greenfield school is a specialist Arts and Science secondary school in County Durham. A ‘Suitcase of Survival’ workshop was undertaken with students before a performance of ‘The Tin Ring’. Output Testimony What a wonderful night - thank you. : https://www.facebook.com/johnd.clare.5/post s/453377488191101 Cllr John D Clare

Great work today fro a group of talented young peop

The Tin Ring @THETINRIN Great work today from a group of talented young peop@GreenfieldPArts @GreenfieldArts @TheForgeU @NorthumbriaUnipic.twitter.com/N20MWPiJiX

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John D Clare added 3 new photos. JANUARY 27 2016 Thursday - a Tin Ring for Holocaust Memorial Day Today is Holocaust Memorial Day - the day when we remember with horror the 6 million Jews targeted and murdered by the Nazis during the Second World War. Greenfield Arts has been running an Anne Frank exhibition for the last few weeks, and brought the project to a conclusion tonight with a celebration of the work of its 'Holocaust Ambassadors', and a performance of The Tin Ring. The Tin Ring is a play about the life of Czech schoolgirl Zdenka Fantlova, whose happy childhood was cut short by the German invasion of 1939, and subsequently found herself at Therezin, Auschwitz and - in the end - Bergen-Belsen ... three names to make you (if you know anything about the Holocaust) shudder. I don't know the proper term, but I would say that the play is a kind of performance art - a one-woman performance, with nothing but a chair as a prop. It was riveting, but most of all it was emotionally-harrowing. The were a number of places where I was moved to tears as actress Jane Arnfield expertly re-created not only the scenes, but a chilling sense of atmosphere. For years I have strongly believed that we have taught The Holocaust wrongly. We have presented the Jews only as powerless victims, and handed the Nazis a second racist victory in our classrooms. A few years ago therefore, I began reading personal accounts of Jews who lived through the Holocaust. I learned that every Jewish person's experience was different. Some fought back … Some went willingly to their death … Zdenka, we found out, survived - the only one of her family to do so. Sweden took her in, healed her, and gave her a new life. And as we watched Czech democracy slide so easily into fascist persecution, and Sweden give a broken refugee a new start, I couldn't help but think that The Tin Ring has messages for us today in our increasingly xenophobic little island. The pictures show Greenfield Arts leader Katy Milne (centre) with Jane Arnfield and event promoter Tony Harrington, and Jane & I with her assistant researchers Farjana Ali, Rosie Goode and Shohaib Gohar. Lovely to see there Greenfield teacher Peter Lewis Davies with his students (as well as my old colleagues Chris Stonehouse and Stuart Johnson), and Shildon councillor Trish Pemberton and community worker Paula Nelson. https://www.facebook.com/johnd.clare.5/posts/453377488191101

PSN Paper Studio Northumbria

#2 – Living Paper – 17 March 2016 Jane Arnfield, Wessie Ling, Richard Kotter Living Paper A performance of dressed data sourced from the living and the dead working with Northumbria University Arts, Human Geography and Design students

Human Remain Performance from the human for the human with the human