Poetic Inquiry: Unearthing the Rhizomatic Array Between Art and Research

Written with an engaging, conversational tone, this book captures the best of both academic and creative expression. There is generative movement at the heart of practice that in this articulation of poetic inquiry has the ability to pause and listen deeply, and to attend to the self-in-relation with humility, awareness and sensitivity to practice.

In terms of contributing to the field of education, this book is both timely and definitive. Vincent identifies critical issues concerning poetic inquiry and arts research in general, and invites us to consider the integrity of poetic practice as an artist, researcher and teacher, resulting in a book with the needed coherence, rationality and style to facilitate opportunities to re-think and re-make innovative practices in schools, in university classrooms, and beyond.

The genealogy of thought documented in interviews with leading scholars offers an original contribution to historical understandings and recognises the vitality of learning and mentoring relationships that nurture such possible spaces as research. The analysis of specific works and identification of hallmark traits add new layers to the discourse of poetic inquiry and demonstrates further how this book makes an original contribution to knowledge. The concluding chapter is well-crafted, and serves as a guide to how poetic inquiry, as a rhizomatic array of diverse approaches, is contingent on the researcher’s disposition to research questions.

This book offers a key contribution to the study of poetic inquiry, and in particular, it honours the legacies of those who have made poetic inquiry possible. Vincent’s vision for the future is rooted in equitable, inclusive and diverse applications, and as a result, this book serves as an open invitation to students and scholars alike to take up these practices.

Vincent is indeed living poetically.

Dr. Anita Sinner

Program Coordinator, BFA Major

Art Education, Faculty of Fine Arts

Concordia University

Dr. Vincent takes a close look at four leading artist-scholars in the field of poetic inquiry with insight and grace in “Poetic Inquiry: Unearthing the Rhizomatic Array Between Art and Research.” His analysis, coupled with his poetic response to their work, offers the reader a rich lens to better understand the complexity and possibilities of poetic inquiry as a research methodology. This book is invaluable for arts-based scholars, practitioners and educators who have a particular interest in poetic inquiry. Within the ten chapters, Vincent provides a detailed historical evolution of the field, a robust literature review, plenty of examples of engaging in poetic inquiry in diverse ways, and last but not least a convincing and compelling argument as to why this approach is much needed in scholarship and for community engagement.

Dr. George Belliveau

Professor and Head

Faculty of Education, Department of Language and Literacy Education

The University of British Columbia

In this delightful book, Dr. Adam Vincent invites us to consider how poetic inquiry can form a methodology for educational audiences. Beneficial to educators, as well as scholars, readers and creators of poetry, and arts-based practitioners, this book will serve as a pioneering resource for years to come.

Dr. Derek Gladwin

University of British Columbia)

Author of 'Rewriting Our Stories: Education, Empowerment, and Well-being'