COPE-Drama
Summary
Research Methods: 10-week arts-based workshops with drama, climate education, and field trips; data collected via interviews at three stages.
- Focus Areas: Climate risk education, creative expression, community building, and public performances in Metro Vancouver. Boosting wellbeing and heat resilience in adults 60+ through climate storytelling and social connection.
- COPE Co-Production Workshop: Group-based art intervention to be developed following the educational sessions and trainings.
Knowledge Mobilization: Dissemination via journals, policy briefs, media, academic conferences and community events.
The COPE Drama project involves the development of a group-based arts intervention to increase wellbeing and heat resilience among older adults aged 60+, utilizing the following methods such as: (1) educating older adults on climate risks and hazards, (2) providing social connectedness and support and (3) encouraging self-expression through climate-focused narratives.
Research Methods: During April to July 2026, we will facilitate a 10-week workshop, which will include sessions focused on educational climate-related materials, drama activities, visual arts, field trips etc. To culminate this process, participants will engage in the creation of a dramatic production which will first be presented at the COPE Co-Production Workshop and then at other locations throughout the Metro Vancouver area. Qualitative semi-structured interviews will be conducted at three time points (i.e., pre-workshop, post-workshop, and post-production) utilizing questions to better understand participants鈥� socio-demographic features, their current coping strategies for heat, their personal evaluations of the workshop, and their responses to performing their personal climate-focused narrative to a broader audience, among others.
Knowledge Mobilization: Our research findings will be shared via several mediums which include but are not limited to: (1) articles in peer-reviewed journals, (2) a policy brief, (3) feature articles in magazines and other media, (4) academic conference presentations, and (5) hosting community knowledge sessions and presenting on research-focused podcasts.