The Bloomsbury Handbook of Arts-Based Educational Research offers a wide-angle view of a dynamic scholarly field where the arts are central to educational knowledge creation, exchange and reach. With contributions from over seventy scholars across twelve countries, the handbook showcases arts-based research in diverse educational, cultural and social contexts. Artistic modalities – including drama, music, poetry, photovoice, visual artmaking and digital media – are used to reconfigure foundational research assumptions and foster inclusive, participatory approaches to knowledge-making. Structured around five thematic sections – The Creative Educator, Artistic Identities, Artscaping Community, Creative Advocacy and Artful Leadership – each introduced by a scholarly framing chapter and paired with a practical toolkit, the handbook integrates conceptual depth with usable strategies. It engages with pressing issues including climate justice, healthcare, feminist leadership, Indigenous engagement and youth empowerment. Designed for researchers, educators, students and community members, the handbook invites creative, critical and collaborative engagement with arts-integrated inquiry.
