Collaborative Zine Making

18th January 2024

Lead institution:
University of Manchester

Authors:
Professor Sarah Marie Hall

Funded Project:
Methods for Change Phase 2

This ‘How-To’ Guide outlines the Collaborative Zine Making Method used by Professor Sarah Marie Hall from the University of Manchester and developed in collaboration with Inspire Women Oldham. The zine was also created in collaboration with Inspire Women Oldham.

Twitter: @Sarah_M_Hall and @InspireOldham

Social scientists from the Methods for Change project came together to discuss the research methods they use and how methods create change in society. Drawing from the expertise in the Aspect network, they collaborated on a series of ‘how to’ guides which are step-by-step instructions and top-tips for adopting these methods in a range of sectors. Visual and multisensory pieces, including comics, illustrations, posters, booklets, short films and animations were then developed in collaboration with creatives to capture the key value of these research methods with a view to being able to convey them to a variety of audiences.

It is hoped that these resources will be useful for people in higher education, commercial, public sector, third sector and community organisations who are interested in experimenting with, and expanding professional skills in, the adoption of social science research methods.

Collaborative Zine-Making involves the creation of zines with others. Zines are a grassroots tool for spreading information in communities, including news, politics, opinions and more.

A zine is often made of paper, folded, stapled or tied, comprising different pages, though it can also be a digital resource. The contents of a zine can vary, too. They can be a collection of writing, of images, a collage, puzzles, poems, and an array of other creative forms often interwoven in various combinations. Significantly, zines are made by and for communities, whether they be geographical, cultural, or social communities (e.g. a neighbourhood, a music scene, or a trade community). Zines do not require specific skills or expertise, and instead are favoured for their free form and inclusivity.


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