MovingOnTheFirstNineMonths

Abstract

In 2003, following receipt of a three year Australian Research Council Grant, a team of three Griffith University researchers—Merrelyn Bates (a social worker/counsellor), Penny Bundy and Bruce Burton (drama facilitators) began to work together with their industry partner (the Aftercare Resource Centre) to investigate the ways a drama-based approach to change might be used to assist survivors of childhood institutional abuse to achieve more fulfilling lives. This paper, first presented at IDEA 2004, the 5th world congress of Drama/Theatre and Education held in Ottawa, Canada, will provide background to the situation before reporting on the first nine months of the Action Research Project.