Leaving the Crow’s Nest: How Creative Co‐Creation Transcends “Us‐Versus‐Them” Experiences of Dutch Refugee Students

Authors Hanke Drop, Peter Hendriks, Oumar Barry, Rania Abdulsattar
Published in Social Inclusion
Publication date 2024
Research groups Organiseren van Waardig Werk, Wonen en Welzijn, Normatieve Professionalisering
Type Article

Summary

This article is based on five years of longitudinal participatory action research on how former pre‐bachelor programme students with a refugee background experience finding their way into Dutch higher education and society. The four‐member research team and authors (two of which were former refugees), found that refugee students face a significant barrier of “us‐versus‐them,” especially in an educational context. We explored how creative co‐creation contributed to rethinking difference and sameness in higher education by breaking through or transcending this divide. Creative co‐creation through play, storytelling, or constructing artefacts enables “alterity,” approaching the other from the other’s position. Movement and action help to shape the world around us: Connecting and shifting positions creates sameness while leaving space for difference. Creative co‐creation during our research process included making co‐creation artefacts and activities, thus involving outreach to broader audiences for engagement. In the research process, it became clear that successful participation matters to all students and provides more opportunities for all, not just refugee students. A new notion of “we” in Dutch higher education and society that does not perpetuate the divide between “us” and “them” requires a shared responsibility. Higher education needs the university authorities and the teachers to make room for student stories and should provide spaces for dialogue and community development.

On this publication contributed

  • Hanke Drop
    Hanke Drop
    • Researcher
    • Research groups: Normatieve Professionalisering, Duurzame Gemeenschappen

Language Engels
Published in Social Inclusion
Year and volume 2024 12
Key words agency, social justice, community development, creative co‐creation, higher education, refugee students, us‐versus‐them divide
Digital Object Identifier 10.17645/si.8477
Page range 1-16

Hanke Drop

Hanke Drop

Hanke Drop

  • Researcher
  • Research groups: Duurzame Gemeenschappen, Normatieve Professionalisering