Claire de Mézerville López is joined by co-host, Professor Emanuela Biffi, for the “Powerful Intersection Between Restorative Justice and Art” podcast series, a special initiative by the IIRP together with the European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ).
Art has the unique ability to connect and facilitate dialogue, making it a powerful tool in restorative justice practices. Throughout the series, we examine how artists from different disciplines and cultural backgrounds use their creative expression to foster communication, build empathy, and potentially repair harm. Each episode highlights a different aspect of this intersection, featuring conversations with artists who have contributed to restorative justice
We are joined by Dr. Clair Aldington as she discusses her research on integrating visual and movement-based languages into the restorative justice process. She co-founded Space to Face, an award-winning charity in Scotland, emphasizing how creative expression can facilitate healing dialogues and trauma articulation. Discover how Dr. Aldington’s work extends beyond verbal communication, using art as a catalyst for emotional connections and solidarity between individuals involved in conflict. She reflects on pivotal moments where art objects symbolized reconciliation and inspired lasting change in both victims and offenders. Her research challenges traditional Western practices by advocating for more inclusive, visually oriented approaches to restorative justice.
Dr. Aldington has authored several academic articles and book chapters regarding her practice and research. She is the co-founder of the award-winning Space2face restorative practices and arts charity in Shetland, Scotland, and a co-facilitator of an international restorative circle group, the Encounter of the Encounters, in cases of political violence. Her work has pioneered the use of art and design approaches within restorative practices. Specifically, how creative approaches can aid dialogue and the articulation of trauma, particularly in cases of serious crime, thereby improving the accessibility of restorative processes. Dr. Aldington holds a doctorate in Design and Restorative Justice and a master’s in Contemporary Art and Music. She is a freelance researcher and practitioner with over twenty years of experience in the field of restorative practices. Dr. Aldington is a keynote speaker at the upcoming 2025 IIRP World Conference, Artful Integration: Exploring the Art and Science of Restorative Practices.
Emanuela is the program coordinator at the EFRJ, an international network organization that brings together about 300 members dedicated to research, policy, and practice of restorative justice in the criminal justice system and beyond. She joined the EFRJ team in September 2013, working as a project officer in different EU-funded projects on access to restorative justice, justice and security in intercultural settings, restorative justice training, child victims, and arts. Among other responsibilities at the EFRJ, she organizes its main international events (conferences, seminars, webinars, and art festival), coordinates proposals for EU-funded and other projects, and guides the overall management of working groups and committees within the EFRJ membership. Originally from Italy, Emanuela studied Liberal Arts at the University College Maastricht (The Netherlands) and University of Gaborone (Botswana) with a focus on social psychology and criminal law and the Master program in Criminology at KU Leuven (Belgium).
Tune in to explore the challenges and rewards of training artists and facilitators in restorative practices. By highlighting the potential of creative mediums to bridge cultural and linguistic divides, we uncover universal avenues for healing and understanding.
