Comic-based Digital Storytelling for Self-expression

In this paper, we report on an exploratory case study investigation of a digital storytelling intervention conducted with young adult male migrants in a reception center in Italy. The investigation explores how comic-based storytelling supported by a digital tool, named Communics, can facilitate migrants in producing narratives for self-expression and support them in reflecting on real-life examples of discrimination. In a first phase, focus groups with NGO operators were organized for negotiating the goals and the boundaries of the intervention. Then, semi-structured interviews with migrants were conducted to define both graphical and textual content on which to base the storytelling activity. In a second phase, we conducted a pilot study with young adult male migrants aimed at investigating the storytelling experience as a reflective process. The empirical findings provide evidence that digital storytelling based on comics can facilitate the narration practice and indications for future development of Communics. We also describe the main challenges experienced in undertaking fieldwork and in involving the migrant community.