Project Description
Since the ART of Infertility organization’s inception, project leads have conducted over one hundred interviews, curated art exhibits, designed engaging curricula through writing and art workshops, and curated a public facing blog. Through these activities, we research how individuals represent their experiences with infertility through creative outlets such as writing, art, or other multi-modal means. Research findings advocate that arts-based methods can support fertility patients as they cope with the struggles of building their family. This research explores the intersections between an infertility identity, mental health, and art therapy. This research hopes to offer new insight into how diverse infertile individuals navigate their identity, the unique mental health challenges this poses, and how patient created art can provide enhance how mental health professionals support infertility patients.
Tasks and Responsibilites
The student will be mentored by the faculty advisor to understand infertility from a culturally-inclusive and intersectional methodology. This work will take the whole academic year and is a two-part project. The student will conduct a literature review concerning infertility identity and how mental health professionals support infertility patients. An accompanying annotated bibliography will also be produced to support the literature review. In the spring, the student will work with the mentor to create and circulate a survey to gather information about the challenges infertile persons face when explaining their identity to non-infertile persons and how mental health professionals can offer support. The survey will also invite infertile persons to submit a self-created artistic representation of how they understand their identity as an infertile person.
Desired Qualifications
None listed.