Paper short abstract:

This paper explores the use of Zines as a research method emphasizing their role in community building and agency. Through Riso printing and strategic distribution, participants claimed control over their narratives turning the Zines into powerful tools for queer migrant representation and activism.

Paper long abstract:

This research contributes to the growing adoption of Zines as a research method (Biagioli, Pässilä & Owens, 2021), highlighting their multifaceted role in community engagement, exploration of feelings, narrative control and as a form of resistance. Focused on a creative research project with queer women, trans*, non-binary and genderfluid people with migration experiences in Berlin, this paper elucidates how participants crafted Zines using materials from earlier project phases, including a Photovoice stage and strategically distributed them. Through collaborative Zine making and Riso printing, participants forged connections rooted in shared experiences of (mis)representation. Being able to use their own materials and representing themselves how they would like to be represented, this method allowed for participants to deepen emotional exploration, interpersonal understanding, and collective resistance to popular discourse. By seizing control of Zine (and followingly also research outputs) dissemination, participants transformed their narratives into potent calls for increased queer migrant representation, reclaiming agency in the face of misrepresentation. This arts-based approach converges community and expression, providing a fertile ground for activism. Disseminating the research results in the form of Zines makes them easy to use in interventions and the first step towards strategic organized activistic activity for some participants. This study underscores Zines' potential for community building, embodiment, participant-driven dissemination, and activism. Disseminating research results via Zines enables easy integration into interventions, marking the initial step toward organized activistic endeavors for some participants. The study underscores Zines' potential for community building, embodiment, participant-driven dissemination, and activism.