On 6th October 2022, Sociological Research Online published their inaugural issue of ‘Beyond the Text’, a new submission format by the journal which provides a space for non-traditional multi-modal research outputs. The inaugural issue is titled ‘Rethinking Visual Arts-Based Methods of Knowledge Generation and Exchange in and beyond the Pandemic’ and features a collection of visual arts (animation, creative and fine art, film, photographs, and zines) produced by children, young people, families, artists, and academics as part of co-created research studies that took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Following Young Fathers Further team (FYFF) are delighted to have a published in this issue with a co-authored article titled: Cocreating with Young Fathers: Producing Community-Informed Training Videos to Foster more Inclusive Support Environments.
Our contribution, which is co-authored with young dads and lads from the North East Young Dads and Lads, draws upon our collaborative project, ‘Diverse Dads’, which ran between October 2020 and April 2021. This collaborative project involved a team comprising of members of North East Young Dads and Lads, advisors from support organisations that champion inclusivity, and the Following Young Fathers Further (FYFF) research team. ‘Diverse Dads’ sought to identify and address gaps in service provision for young minoritised dads in the North East of England, and to promote cross-sector conversations concerning inclusive support for young dads from diverse communities. The FYFF team provided research training to three young men from NEYDL so that they could interview young fathers from minoritised communities, as well as professionals who champion inclusive support.
Showcasing one of the project’s creative outputs as a part of ‘Beyond the Text’, we discuss the continued value of coproduction and cocreation with young fathers and the value of using creative, digital methods to support productive discussions between young fathers, professionals, and researchers.
You can read more about the Diverse Dads project here.
