Crafting Connections
Building Wellbeing and Community in the PhD Journey
PhD students are six times more likely to develop mental health issues than the general public, with international students at higher risk due to a lack of social support. We propose this workshop, focusing on using craft for fostering wellbeing and community connection, would be beneficial because everyone can share how they approach wellbeing in their workspaces, and experience first hand how crafting activities have positively impacted the work environment of the organisers’ reading group. Workshop attendees will get to experience crafting activities from four different cultures, each with a tradition of community building and/or wellness; and contribute to a discussion on strategies to support HDR wellbeing Australia-wide.
Workshop and Activities
In this workshop, we will explore the connection between crafting and wellbeing through hands-on experience with crafting activities from four different cultures. Participants will discuss and reflect on their experiences in academia, the HDR journey, and how they perceive wellbeing for themselves and their colleagues. During the workshop, we will create a poster that captures how participants perceive wellbeing and connectedness at the start and the end of the workshop, to capture how the crafts and their histories influence attendees’ perspectives. We intend to gather information from workshop participants about how the OzCHI community supports HDR wellbeing.
Attending
We welcome participants of all academic levels who like the idea of meeting people while making beautiful things, and who work in diverse teams and want to try new ways to include others and connect. Position papers are not required for this workshop, but in advance of the workshop, we ask you to submit an image of something that represents wellbeing and/or connection to you, for use in our icebreaker activity.
If you are interested in attending, please fill out the form here : Google Docs
Agenda
This is a half day workshop structured around crafting and self reflection. On the day participants will take part in two different crafts and a reflection task. The day is structured as follows:
- 10 mins - Workshop Start and Introduction by Hosts
- 10 mins - Icebreaker task - What does wellbeing mean to me?
- 60 mins - Craft Session 1 - choose a table
- 30 mins - Break and switch
- 60 mins - Craft Session 2 - choose a different table
- 60 mins - Reflection task - Final discussion on the implications of crafting in HCI
- 10 mins - Wrap up and Thanks
Each participant will get to experience 2 of the 4 craft activities on offer. Participants may be directed to specific activities based on availability.
Activities
European Loom Knitting facilitated by Alexandra Douglass-Bonner.
Knitting is a tradition of crafting fabric from one continuous thread by looping or “knotting”. One of the earliest looms, a Lucet, was found in France in dating back to the 10th Century. Due to their small size and simplicity, knitting looms can make knitting more accessible as they do not require thread tension to be held in your hands. Alex’s grandma taught her to knit cords on a loom around the age of 3, and she came back to loom knitting years later to make hats for her friends. During the workshop she will show you some simple stitches that make up all garments, building connections and fostering discussions on a wide range of topics. She hopes to share some of her passion for this craft, and hear about your passions and hobbies in return.
Indonesian Wayang Making facilitated by Agata Filiana.
Wayang refers to a type of traditional shadow puppet made from leather and decorated with different colours commonly used in performances in Indonesia, particularly Java and Bali. Wayang performance typically includes a gamelan performance and a dalang, who leads the shadow performance. A wayang performance is often seen more than just for entertainment purposes, but also a spiritual experience that include epic storytelling, philosophical messages and humour. You will make your own wayang characters using paper. You will carefully select the colours that represent your wayang character, just as each wayang has their own colour symbolism. Agata will lead discussions on how Indonesian culture uses storytelling to pass on generational wisdom of wellbeing and the benefits of gathering as a community to strengthen one’s social connection. She invites attendees to reflect and share their own stories on these topics.
Turkish İznik Tile Decorating facilitated by Rabia Nur Kilic.
İznik tiles have decorated Turkish mosques and palaces for over 500 years, with their distinctive cobalt blues, deep reds, and intricate patterns becoming symbols of Turkish cultural identity. These traditional designs still appear throughout modern Turkish life—on teacups, ceramics, and home décor, reflecting their enduring legacy. You will color pre-made İznik tile patterns on paper plates, exploring the symbolic meanings behind different motifs and colors. Many patterns represent joy, memory, or spiritual themes that you can interpret through your own creative lens. Rabia will share how these artistic traditions connect to Turkish identity and daily life, while encouraging participants to discuss their own cultural symbols and artistic practices.
Sri Lankan Padura Weaving facilitated by Manesha Andradi.
The padura (woven mat) is a cultural item that can be found in all Sri Lankan homes. It is used as a bed, a dining table, musical performance space and more. Padura weaving can be a meditative experience for the crafter and is sometimes done while reciting kavi (folk poetry). This workshop aims to teach the basics of padura weaving using paper while Manesha shares aspects of Sri Lankan culture that support her wellbeing such as crafting, focusing on community, and prioritising ecological sustainability. In a cultural exchange, she invites attendees to discuss their own approaches to these topics while weaving together.
Attending
If you are interested in attending, please fill out the form here: Google Docs
Please check the Authors page to read about the workshop organisers.
We look forward to seeing you there!