Art therapy research within emergency shelters, military museums, secure care, schools, and communities

Abstract

It is with great honour that I am writing this editorial in my new role as Editor-in-Chief (EiC) Designate. Following a successful interview with the British Association of Art Therapists, and under the support of our current EiC, Alex McDonald I am committed to taking on the EiC role starting from April 2024. This would not have been possible without Alex’s generosity with her time to support each one of us in the editorial board in order to maintain the success of our journal, and her genuine determination to bring our journal to its highest quality standards it has ever been. I am grateful to Alex for her extraordinary contribution to our journal and for raising the profile of the art therapy profession. My first action as an EiC Designate is the announcement of a special issue call on Nature-based Art Therapy. Alongside guest co-editors Dr Pamela Whitaker and Dr Caroline Hickman, we are inviting original and evidence-informed research, practice, and opinion contributions on natureand outdoor-based art therapy. This special issue is a timely opportunity to explore how nature-based art therapy can contribute to both human and planetary health, (re-)connect us with nature, and facilitate equity of access to the arts, therapy, and nature. Aspects of nature-based art therapy we are particularly keen to develop stronger evidence for include: