Research

Eco-Tracing: Ecologies of Place, Artmaking, and the Senses.

This arts-based research project explores place, belonging and memory through site-specific artmaking. This inquiry is being conducted with Drs. Vicki Kelly and Celeste Snowber.

Impact of Drama/Theatre Education on Post-Secondary Students

This research examines the impact that participation in a theatre education course has on post-secondary students.

Performing Leadership

This research investigates whether participation in drama/theatre activities may impact on one’s understanding and experience of leadership.

Learning through encounters with technology

Small SSHRC Grant, Canada

This research project investigates the encounter between performer and technology and how technology influences performance creation. From working within the confines of a digital platform that responds to every moment, to being in close proximity to a videographer who becomes part of the performance, this inquiry reveals the resistance and possibilities that multi-media offers to the performer. This inquiry is being conducted with Dr. Kathryn Ricketts.

‘Prisons that heal’ book proposal: The Little Prison that Could

BCMSF Dissemination Grant, British Columbia

Collaborative grant: Ruth Martin, Carl Leggo, & Lynn Fels

This is an edited collection of writings about the changes that were made during the tenure of a warden who wanted to see what would happen if women had a voice in the correctional centre. From the initiation of a mothers and babies program to an in-house action research project, this book explores the experiences of those who were present during this three year

Technology, Performance & E-motion

Hampton Research Grant, University of British Columbia, Vancouver

Collaborative grant: Stephen Petrina, Mary Bryson, Teresa Dobson, Lynn Fels

In a variety of venues that invite the interplay between technology and performance, I am exploring what happens when performers/participants are faced with new ways of engaging in scholarly representation and creative expression through technology.

Community-based participatory action research: Collaborating with women in prison to improve their health

B.C. Medical Services Foundation, Vancouver

Collaborative grant with faculty members of the Faculty of Education and Department of Family Medicine. Dr. Ruth Martin, Principle Investigator.

In this project, women in a correctional centre have formed a participatory action research group. By working together, we are learning to understand what matters in terms of the needs, perspectives, and agency of women regarding their health and wellbeing both within and outside the prison gates. This project calls our attention to new ways of engaging collaboratively.

Written Works in Progress

Performative Inquiry as a Research Methodology, (Editor) a collection of writing by researchers using performative inquiry as their mode of inquiry.

Interplay. (Co-Editor). Exploring performative inquiry, living inquiry, and embodiment. In progress. With Karen Meyer & Celeste Snowber.

Fels, L. Journey into Science through Drama and Storytelling. Curriculum book for teachers on storytelling and drama activities for the science classroom. In progress.

Writing from the Centre (Co-Editor) a collection of writings from graduates of the CCFI program. In progress.

Research Funding

2022 02-2025 01
First Steps for a Healthy Climate: Exploring grassroots/parent-led community resilience, civic empowerment and location-based education for climate change
Principal Investigator: Dr. Lynn Fels, Post-Doctoral Fellow Laurel Hart
Mitacs Accelerate Grant, $135,000
2022 03-04
Possibilities of Students as Partners: Investigating community-based learning and peer-to-peer networking in a creator space
Principal Investigator: Dr. Lynn Fels
SFU Learning & Teaching Development Grant (STDG), $5000
2019–2021
Performing Mentorship: Investigating Mentorship in 4 Arts for Social Change Creative Spaces and Contexts
Principal Investigator: Dr. Lynn Fels; Co-Investigator with Dr. Jen Spiegel; Community Investigators - Dr. Shira Taylor, Lisa Ndejuru, Callista Chasse, Nicole Armos
SSHRC Insight Development Grant, $71,995 (performingmentorship.ca)
2013–2018
Social Circus and Health Equity: An interdisciplinary, intercultural, international collaboration
Principal Investigator: Annalee Yassi; Co-Investigator with multiple researchers
CIHR Operating Grant, $560,000
2013–2018
Art for social change: an integrated research program in teaching, evaluation and capacity-building
Principal Investigator: Judith Marcuse; Co-Investigator with multiple researchers
SSHRC 2012 Partnership Grant, $2,496,559
2012
Performing Leadership: Drama Education for Non-Theatre Undergraduate Students
Co-Investigator with Dr. Michelle Nielson
SFU Teaching and Learning Grant, $3,000
2012
Art for social change: an integrated research program in teaching, evaluation and capacity-building
Principal Investigator: Judith Marcuse; Co-Investigator with multiple researchers
SSHRC 2012 Partnership Grant: LOI, $20,000
2012
Creating Together: An Interdisciplinary Workshop of Participatory, Community-based and Collaborative Arts Practices and Scholarship
Principle Investigator: Anita Sinner & Diane Conrad; Involvement: Participant author
SSHRC, Writing Workshop
2011–2012
Doing Time: Knowledge Translation
Principle Investigator: Ruth Martin; Co-Investigator with multiple researchers
CIHR Knowledge Translation Supplement: Health Services and Policy Research, $99,981
2009–2010
‘Prisons that heal’ book proposal
Principle Investigator: Ruth Martin; Co-Investigator with Carl Leggo and Mo Korchinsky
BCMSF Dissemination Grant, $5,000
2008–2011
Doing Time: A Time for Incarcerated Women to Develop an Action Health Strategy Canadian institutes of Health Research
Collaborative grant with faculty members of the Faculty of Education and Department of Family Medicine
CIHR Grant, $144,213
2006–2007
Community-based participatory action research: Collaborating with women in prison to improve their health (Women into Healing)
Principle Investigator: Dr. Ruth Martin; Co-Investigator with multiple researchers, including Carl Leggo, Karen Meyer, Marla Buchannan & Norm Amundston
B.C. Medical Services Foundation (BCMSF) Grant, $50,000
2004–2007
Technology, Performance & Emotion
Principle Investigator: Mary Bryson; Co-Investigators: Teresa Dobson & Stephen Petrina
Hampton Research Grant, $45,000

Research Projects

Eco-Tracing: Ecologies of Place, Artmaking, and the Senses.
This arts-based research project explores place, belonging and memory through site-specific artmaking. This inquiry is being conducted with Drs. Vicki Kelly and Celeste Snowber.
Impact of Drama/Theatre Education on Post-Secondary Students
This research examines the impact that participation in a theatre education course has on post-secondary students.
Performing Leadership
This research investigates whether participation in drama/theatre activities may impact on one’s understanding and experience of leadership.
Learning through encounters with technology
Small SSHRC Grant, Canada
This research project investigates the encounter between performer and technology and how technology influences performance creation. From working within the confines of a digital platform that responds to every moment, to being in close proximity to a videographer who becomes part of the performance, this inquiry reveals the resistance and possibilities that multi-media offers to the performer. This inquiry is being conducted with Dr. Kathryn Ricketts.
‘Prisons that heal’ book proposal: The Little Prison that Could
BCMSF Dissemination Grant, British Columbia
Collaborative grant: Ruth Martin, Carl Leggo, & Lynn Fels
This is an edited collection of writings about the changes that were made during the tenure of a warden who wanted to see what would happen if women had a voice in the correctional centre. From the initiation of a mothers and babies program to an in-house action research project, this book explores the experiences of those who were present during this three year
2004–2007
Technology, Performance & E-motion
Principle Investigator: Mary Bryson; Co-Investigators: Teresa Dobson, Lynn Fels, Stephen Petrina
Hampton Research Grant, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, $45,000

In a variety of venues that invite the interplay between technology and performance, I am exploring what happens when performers/participants are faced with new ways of engaging in scholarly representation and creative expression through technology.
Community-based participatory action research: Collaborating with women in prison to improve their health
B.C. Medical Services Foundation, Vancouver
Collaborative grant with faculty members of the Faculty of Education and Department of Family Medicine. Dr. Ruth Martin, Principle Investigator.
In this project, women in a correctional centre have formed a participatory action research group. By working together, we are learning to understand what matters in terms of the needs, perspectives, and agency of women regarding their health and wellbeing both within and outside the prison gates. This project calls our attention to new ways of engaging collaboratively.

Works in Progress

Performative Inquiry as a Research Methodology, (Editor) a collection of writing by researchers using performative inquiry as their mode of inquiry.

Interplay. (Co-Editor). Exploring performative inquiry, living inquiry, and embodiment. In progress. With Karen Meyer & Celeste Snowber.

Fels, L. Journey into Science through Drama and Storytelling. Curriculum book for teachers on storytelling and drama activities for the science classroom. In progress.

Writing from the Centre (Co-Editor) a collection of writings from graduates of the CCFI program. In progress.