A Script for Change? Using Research-based Theatre to Address Graduate Supervision, Inclusivity and Wellbeing

Format Type

Plenary

Format Type

Paper

Start Date

13-1-2021 4:50 PM

End Date

13-1-2021 5:10 PM

Abstract

Graduate supervision is likely the most complex, subtle, and under-researched form of teaching in which faculty engage (Brown & Adkins, 1988). We used Research-Based Theatre (RBT) to address this gap by developing a series of dramatized scenes about the challenges inherent to graduate supervisory relationships and their impacts on mental health and wellbeing. Six workshop performances of the resulting Don’t Rock the Boat (DRTB) were piloted in fall 2019 with UBC graduate students, faculty, and staff. Scenes were interspersed with facilitated small group discussion enabling participants to identify tensions in supervisory relationships and appropriate actions to better support wellbeing. A new video-based version of DRTB that emphasizes issues of equity and diversity in graduate supervision is now in production. It is being piloted online and will be distributed as an educational resource along with a facilitator’s guide.

This presentation will feature a selected scene from the video and demonstrate our methods for facilitating interactive online discussion. Findings from our ongoing evaluation show that participants identify with the experiences of the central characters and appreciate how the use of theatre enables them to discuss sensitive issues without having to divulge personal stories. This approach enhances awareness of challenging aspects of graduate supervisory relationships (such as cross cultural communication or unconscious bias) while also enabling participants to define and deconstruct systemic barriers to successfully resolving these challenges.

Keywords

graduate supervisory relationships, research-based theatre, wellbeing, inclusivity

Comments

https://rbtcollaborative.ubc.ca/news/featured-project/nov-8-2019-dont-rock-boat

ORCID ID

0000-0001-7459-9587

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Jan 13th, 4:50 PM Jan 13th, 5:10 PM

A Script for Change? Using Research-based Theatre to Address Graduate Supervision, Inclusivity and Wellbeing

Graduate supervision is likely the most complex, subtle, and under-researched form of teaching in which faculty engage (Brown & Adkins, 1988). We used Research-Based Theatre (RBT) to address this gap by developing a series of dramatized scenes about the challenges inherent to graduate supervisory relationships and their impacts on mental health and wellbeing. Six workshop performances of the resulting Don’t Rock the Boat (DRTB) were piloted in fall 2019 with UBC graduate students, faculty, and staff. Scenes were interspersed with facilitated small group discussion enabling participants to identify tensions in supervisory relationships and appropriate actions to better support wellbeing. A new video-based version of DRTB that emphasizes issues of equity and diversity in graduate supervision is now in production. It is being piloted online and will be distributed as an educational resource along with a facilitator’s guide.

This presentation will feature a selected scene from the video and demonstrate our methods for facilitating interactive online discussion. Findings from our ongoing evaluation show that participants identify with the experiences of the central characters and appreciate how the use of theatre enables them to discuss sensitive issues without having to divulge personal stories. This approach enhances awareness of challenging aspects of graduate supervisory relationships (such as cross cultural communication or unconscious bias) while also enabling participants to define and deconstruct systemic barriers to successfully resolving these challenges.