Dr Melis Cin has received an AHRC Global Challenges Research Fund Grant commissioned from the Changing the Story Network Project. The project focuses on Tonga youth of rural Binga in Zimbabwe, a minority group who have been subject to marginalisation, social violence and exclusion, and seeks to document these through participatory street art with the aim of encouraging social reconciliation, making their experiences and knowledge visible, and contributing to epistemic justice.

Zimbabwe’s cultural and ethnic complexity because of historical cultural clashes and conflict has never been fully resolved and rural Binga hosts one of the marginalised and forcefully displaced communities of the country. Tonga youth remain 'invisible' in most political, economic, and social development discourses. Using street art, the project encourages an activist role in which youth encourage social cohesion and epistemic justice for, and among often-secluded communities.

Melis Cin says "We will work with Tonga youth in the region and use street art to generate a democratic space and to provide a platform for the youth to represent their cultural values and identities. Street art is a global phenomenon and a powerful form of arts that provokes engagement and acts as a catalyst for transformative social change. In this research, we are supported by a local museum and a youth NGO to create a meaningful and genuine impact."

The research team includes Dr Melis Cin, Dr Faith Mkwananzi (University of Free State, South Africa) and Dr Tendayi Moravah (Midland State University, Zimbabwe) and the partners of this project are Batonga Community Museum in Binga and the Basilwizi Trust youth NGO who will collaborate with the team to co-design the art-based methodology, art training, exhibition, dissemination, exhibition and workshops with policy-makers.

The project seeks to support the building of inclusive, youth-led civil societies in areas of post-conflict through the development of a clear and evidence-based understanding of how arts might support the work of reconciliation, help hard-to-reach communities to represent their values, aspirations and local knowledge and create transformational platforms which can contribute to building long-lasting social relationships.

Melis Cin is a Lecturer in Education and Social Justice. She teaches on the Department of Educational Research's MA in Education and Social Justice and PhD in Education and Social Justice.