The Impact

The Elephant in the Room project has generated significant and multi-layered impact across individual, pedagogical, institutional and societal domains.

At an individual level, the project created a powerful and often rare space for students and staff to articulate experiences of racism. The use of creative, arts-based methodologies enabled participants to engage in ways that were reflective, emotional and dialogical. As outlined in the project, creative practice functioned as an “open invitation” to engage with complex and sensitive issues, lowering barriers to participation and enabling more honest and meaningful contributions . Participants reported a greater sense of connection, validation and confidence in expressing their experiences.

At a pedagogical level, the project demonstrates a transformative model for teaching and learning in higher education. It evidences how creative, participatory methodologies can deepen engagement with social justice issues, moving beyond traditional, content-driven approaches toward more embodied, reflective and action-oriented learning. Staff involved in the project have begun integrating these approaches into their teaching and research, contributing to the embedding of Global Citizenship andDevelopment Education (GCDE) and anti-racism frameworks across disciplines.

At an institutional level, the project has made a significant contribution to surfacing and evidencing experiences of racism within the university. The campus-wide installations generated a body of anonymous narratives that provide insight into lived experiences, perceptions of institutional culture and the gap between policy and practice. As reflected by participants, this gap remains a critical issue, with frustration expressed regarding the lack of clear, actionable responses to racism despite existing frameworks . These findings contribute to ongoing institutional discussions and have informed dialogue within university networks concerned with race equality, inclusion and student experience.

The project also aligns strongly with UCC’s strategic priorities in inclusive education, student engagement, research impact and civic responsibility. It demonstrates how engaged, participatory research can contribute to institutional reflection and transformation, while also enhancing the student learning experience.

At a broader societal level, the project has expanded the reach of research beyond traditional academic audiences. By situating installations in public campus spaces, it created accessible entry points for engagement, inviting spontaneous participation from the wider university community. This approach positions the university as an active site of public dialogue, contributing to wider conversations on racism, equality and social justice.

Importantly, the project offers a transferable and scalable model for other higher education institutions. Its integration of creative practice, participatory research and public engagement provides a replicable framework for addressing complex and sensitive issues in meaningful and impactful ways. As articulated within the resource, the project contributes to an emerging body of work on embedding anti-racism within higher education teaching, research and institutional practice.