The magic of emotion: Researching and representing protest and activism through creative criminological method and methodology

This project provides an empirically grounded and creatively presented study of emotion in the context of climate-related protest and activism. Emotion is described by Sartre (1939) as ‘magical’, in the sense that it transforms our perceptions of the world, providing a distinctive way of apprehending, interpreting, and responding to situations, objects, and other people. In this view emotions are not caused by external factors but are directed and reflective of a personal search for interpretation and meaning.

In the context of the climate crisis, when faced with material and imagined existential threats to human safety and future of the planet, emotion plays a critical role in peoples’ perceptions of the problem and their activities.

The project applies a creative criminological approach to researching and representing the experiences of participation in Extinction Rebellion (XR) activities. Qualitative and visual data were obtained using semi-structured interviews, non-participant observation and digital photography, from which four themes are identified and creatively explored: sense of community and sharing; personal nourishment; dealing with the ‘gaze’ of others, and bodily sensations.

These themes are artistically represented as a photomontage installation, incorporating qualitative interview data and images from the sites of protest. The visual and narrative findings posit emotion as directed with intentionality, transforming protestors’ experiences by providing a way of apprehending, interpreting, and responding to climate related issues. The project aims to appeal to those interested in studying the emotion of protest and activism, and in developing innovative and creative methods and methodologies for social research and knowledge production.

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