IHDW
Summer - Spring 2026 Newsletter
From the Director This issue of the IHDW newsletter addresses a key feature of McGill University’s new research strategy on “amplifying youth voices, transforming systems,” focusing in particular on the ways in which participatory arts-based methodologies are so central to this work. As the strategy notes, “…In education, social work, and counselling psychology, researchers are collaborating with families, schools, and communities to co-create inclusive models of learning and support … We will mobilize this knowledge to develop models for youth leadership, advocacy, and civic engagement; advance trauma-informed and equity-driven practices; and inform policies that promote lifelong well-being and social inclusion.” How the images produced by children and young people in the form of photographs, drawings, cellphilms or participatory videos become part of the amplifying process is critical, particularly in the context of the question of how the images become part of public knowledge. One important part of this focuses on the ‘afterlife’ of participatory visual and arts-based work with children and young people. What happens to the images and how do we deepen an understanding of mental health and well-being through archival practices?
Institute for Human Development and Well-being In keeping with an IHDW tradition, this newsletter features news from the 14th annual McGill International Cellphilm Festival which took place in June, 2026. Taking a “Futures…Now” theme, the festival included many submissions from children and young people, again highlighting the importance of finding ways to amplify their voices. Many thanks to Arts intern Jenna MacKenzie for her dedication in putting together this issue of the IHDW newsletter and the PCL team for their contributions to this newsletter.
Dr. Claudia Mitchell (She/Them) is a Distinguished James McGill Professor in the Department of Integrated Studies in Education (DISE) at McGill University. She is the recipient of 2022 José Vasconcelos World Award of Education, for her research on gender-based violence prevention, HIV, and AIDS awareness, and working with youth around the world.
I. IHDW Research II. Exhibitions III. Cellphilms and Cellphilming IV. Publications V. Final Pages
1