aes22 International Evaluation Conference

Hilary Davis (Swinburne University of Technology)

Comics-based digital storytelling has unique characteristics that provide much promise for the evaluator's toolkit. Traditional digital storytelling is a process whereby 'ordinary people' create their own narratives, weaving them into two-to-five-minute digital stories, using visual elements such as photographs, images, signs and music. A participatory research approach is used to co-design and co-create digital stories. Narrative is provided through visual elements which convey knowledge or lived experiences that are difficult to express just using words. They present stories of spaces, places and people, that are often unseen or unheard in mainstream media. Thus, digital stories can be powerful artefacts with the potential to capture and share personal, community, and program development.

Spring-boarding on this traditional digital storytelling approach, we introduce comic-based digital stories. Often associated with young people's entertainment, comics cover a broad range of topics, from superheroes, to farming life aka Footrot Flats. We have been using comic-based digital stories with mental health program evaluations in two distinct contexts: a Victorian rural outreach program; and a tradespeople or 'tradies' focused mental health promotion program. Comics were chosen for these digital stories due to their unique ability to engage primarily male audiences, create understanding, and help bridge health literacy and digital divides.

This presentation explores the process of identifying, capturing, co-designing and sharing comic-based digital stories. It showcases three diverse examples, co-created with key stakeholders: service providers, community members and researchers. We highlight how comics authentically and sensitively communicate mental health issues and can be applied in both face to face and online outreach activities. Ultimately, we argue co-designed comic-based digital storytelling has potential for sharing mental health promotion messages, and service support. They build understandings between service providers, program evaluators and community members about contextually-situated mental he