Dr Dudu pursued her PhD within a transdisciplinary research centre, an environment that encouraged her to experiment beyond traditional boundaries and explore diverse research methodologies. This unique freedom allowed her to incorporate poetry as a tool for data analysis—a bold choice that enriched her research by connecting directly with the creative essence of her participants. She translated her entire thesis into poetry for the benefit of her research participants, many of whom were artists. This approach not only resonated with their experiences but also empowered them to engage critically with the findings, creating a space where traditional power dynamics in research were meaningfully disrupted.
Continuing to push the boundaries of poetic inquiry, Dr  Dudu has expanded her poetic methodologies to collaborate on broader platforms, including co-hosting the 8th International Symposium on Poetic Inquiry in 2022. Her commitment to using poetry as a bridge in research fosters an inclusive and reflective approach that invites participants to shape and critique research, ensuring that their voices are integral to the study’s impact.
(https://www.poeticinquiry.ca/ispi-events.html )
Arts-based research methods offer a powerful means of community engagement, amplifying voices that are often marginalised. Dr Ndlovu employs arts-based approaches to create space for communities to engage with research on their own terms, recognising art as a legitimate form of knowledge-making outside traditional academic structures. Through her work, she fosters an inclusive research environment that prioritises ethical engagement and challenges the typical power dynamics between researchers and participants. Here’s how Dr Ndlovu uses arts-based methods:
oundbreaking work.