Towards an Anticolonial Photovoice: A Research Practice Guide to Theoretical and Methodological Considerations

Abstract

Photovoice researchers must avoid an ahistorical application of the method by critically examining the implementation and dissemination of photovoice projects. Recognizing that photovoice is not automatically empowering and that dismantling power dynamics is an ongoing struggle requiring constant vigilance to ethical, methodological, and representational issues, I propose an anticolonial framework for photovoice, drawing on the work of anticolonial scholars. This approach acknowledges the legacies of colonialism and racism within health and research systems, an imperative for researchers working with Indigenous and marginalized communities. I address multiple phases of a photovoice project, problematizing power relations in each phase and suggesting how to anticolonially adapt theoretical orientations and methodological processes. Areas under-addressed in the photovoice literature, such as epistemic justice, recruitment power relations, decolonized concepts of rigor, problematization of pseudonyms/anonymizing, and cross-language research and writing, are discussed, interweaving analyses with practical guidance from and outcomes of my photovoice research with Indigenous and mestizo communities in Ecuador.

Use of Photovoice in sub-Saharan Africa: Illustrations and Reflections From Research in Uganda

“…In relation to photovoice specifically, there is a growing chorus of scholars’ voices, including those in SSA, both sharing their work in implementing photovoice with an anticolonial approach and advocating for fellow photovoice researchers to adopt anticolonial frameworks (Castledon et al, 2008; Cornell et al, 2019; Fricas, 2022; Harley, 2012; Kessi, 2018). Fricas offers critical reflections and specific, practical recommendations for implementing each phase of photovoice.…”

“…The aim was to recruit twenty women for participation in the study. Nearly thirty women expressed interest, so some flexibility was exercised to align with the context and employ a more anticolonial approach and twenty-one women joined the study (Fricas, 2022). Participants were compensated for the time spent both attending photovoice meetings and taking photos over the course of the study and were also offered support to cover the transportation to and from the study site.…”

Making the Implicit Explicit: An Illustration of YPAR Implementation and Lessons Learned in Partnership With Young Adults Who Have Experienced Family Member Incarceration

“…Helpful guidance has been published related to participatory research, such as selecting participatory methodology (Duea et al, 2022) and implementing anticolonialism in each stage of photo voice (Fricas, 2022). However, the majority of YPAR literature focuses on case studies about the overarching project, process evaluation, and/or multi-level outcomes that result from youth participation (Anyon et al, 2018;Kennedy et al, 2019;Shamrova & Cummings, 2017).…”