Methodology

Our project has four major, partly overlapping phases:

1. Preparation and start-up (June 2018 - March 2019): Creation of a detailed participant research schedule, relevant training events and activities, ethics approval, participant recruitment in Edmonton and Toronto regions.

2. Participant research (April - August 2019): Using a form of Feminist Participatory Action Research, we engage participants in a cycle of critical reflection and body image redefinition to inform the design brief for the digital fiction.

3. Digital fiction development (September 2019 - February 2020): Iterative design process based on comprehensive user testing, critical participant co-design and research team consultation.

4. Knowledge mobilization (July 2019 onwards): Dissemination of research results to a range of (non-)academic audiences, development, testing and completion of the digital fiction, with closing launch (date t.b.c.).