This event is part of the School of Education's Bristol Conversations in Education research seminar series. These seminars are free and open to the public.
Host: Language, Literacies and Education Network (LLEN)
Speakers: Dr Sarah McLaughlin (University of Bristol)
Using Play-Doh as a creative research method – a hands-on workshop
Join Dr. Sarah McLaughlin for an engaging, hands-on workshop exploring the use of Play-Doh as a creative method in qualitative research. Sarah will share insights from her research study, demonstrating how Play-Doh can serve as a powerful tool for data collection and participant engagement. Participants will have the opportunity to experiment with Play-Doh themselves, gaining practical experience in its application as a research method. Additionally, Sarah will discuss how she integrates Play-Doh as a cognitive strategy in the classroom—an approach that originally inspired her research methodology. This session is ideal for educators, researchers and students interested in innovative, arts-based methodologies.
Dr Sarah McLaughlin is a Lecturer and Co-Lead for the MSc in Health Professions Education at the University of Bristol. With a background in sociology, her doctoral research explored the use of Play-Doh as a creative method, reflecting her broader advocacy for innovative and arts-based approaches to research and teaching. A qualified teacher with experience in both further and higher education, she actively integrates creative methods into the classroom to enhance engagement and deepen understanding.
