Sonic Engagement is a project funded by the Moray House School of Education and Sport at the University of Edinburgh. This interdisciplinary research initiative uses art, music, and sound to amplify the voices of young Colombians in the fight for climate justice. Through participatory workshops, these young people will co-create a sound art installation that employs mechanical and digital devices to generate sounds inviting reflection on environmental phenomena such as air quality, temperature, and biodiversity. This innovative installation not only reflects their experiences but also aims to engage the community and policymakers in urgent conversations about biodiversity and climate justice, using a creative approach that challenges traditional research methods.

The project seeks to demonstrate the transformative power of artistic practices as tools for social inclusion. Through music and art, it integrates the narratives of historically marginalised youth into political discussions on climate change. This applied research evaluates how these methodologies can create real impact on public policy and community understanding of the climate crisis, creating a space where young voices play a central role in shaping solutions. The implementation team comprises researchers and educators from various fields, including the artistic collective Mr Klaje Innovaser from Cali, led by Juan Manuel Gómez Serna, Julian García Umaña, and Yeiner Belalcázar Paz, all of whom have extensive experience in fostering dialogue through art. The sound artist Alan Brown also contributes technical and conceptual knowledge for the development of the sound interface for the installation, alongside expert researchers like Edwar Alexis Calderón, a lecturer at Queen's University Belfast, and Marlies Kustatscher, Senior Lecturer in Childhood Studies at the University of Edinburgh, who ensure that the voices of young people are heard and valued in the project through their respective areas of expertise.