Visualizing ‘Community’: An Experiment in Participatory Photography among Kurdish Diasporic Workers in London

Abstract

Most accounts of research methods in academic journals give an impression that research progresses in an orderly, logical and linear manner. Yet, in reality it is often more ‘messy’ than we admit. This paper reports on an experiment on the use of visual photographic methods in a study of Kurdish migrant workers in London who have had problems at work. The aim was to understand the type of problems workers faced and how they attempted to solve or deal with the issues they encountered. We were interested in the extent to which workers looked to local communities for support and if or how their identity impacted on the actions they took. The use of participant‐generated photography developed while the research was in progress and was utilized in addition to individual and group interviews in order to explore if this was helpful (to us and to research participants) in explaining issues, such as identity and ‘community’, which can often be difficult to verbalize or articulate. As a first foray into incorporating visual methods we struggled at first with ways to explain to participants the type of data we wanted, before learning that it was important to ‘lose control’ and allow participants to ‘speak’ for themselves using the lens of their cameras. The paper explores theoretical justifications that influenced our approach in our first attempt at participatory photography. It will look at the use of images constructed by research participants and how these were used in focus group situations to explore how or whether individual meanings of work, identity, community and belonging have resonance in the wider Kurdish community.

Transforming identity discourses to promote local interests during municipal amalgamations

“…These different identity discourses were tested and refined in open interviews with five local key actors in each municipality. These were local politicians and (Croes et al 2013;Holgate et al 2012;Müller 2011). Later on, the changes in the character and use of local identity, its relation with regional identity, the conflicts related to identity and their views on the expected future changes were discussed (See for the complete list: Terlouw and Hogenstijn 2015, 165-168).…”

Vulnerability and Information Practices: experiences of (Undocumented) latino migrants in the USA

“…Fotohistorias se nutre de una larga tradición de investigación participativa, investigación visual (Collier, 1967), y en particular de fotografía participativa en el campo de las ciencias sociales, especialmente con migrantes (Frohmann, 2005;Kuok y Ku, 2008;Sutherland y Cheng, 2009;Rhodes et al, 2009;Holgate et al, 2012). La fotografía participativa aporta al menos tres elementos importantes a nuestra investigación: (1) empoderamiento: los participantes eligen sobre qué quieren hablar y pueden compartir y reflexionar sobre sus propias experiencias.…”

“When words become unclear”: unmasking ICT through visual methodologies in participatory ICT4D

“…However, a key component across all three studies, was that visual elements helped to articulate cultural identities, creating a bridge between researchers, participants and community members from different cultural backgrounds. Particularly within Holgate et al (2012) and Kwok and Ku's (2008) studies, another key component was the use of visual elements to record snapshots of daily life, to build understandings of living experiences, and how people cope with their environments. The use of photographs to tell stories of practices and experiences could help to develop situational awareness for critical ICT engagement, especially when many cultural factors are difficult to verbalize.…”

“…To illustrate, research that has focused on migrant populations has applied participatory photography in the context of participatory action research (Kwok and Ku 2008), focus groups (Holgate et al 2012) and facilitated photo assignments and discussion (Rhodes et al 2009). In these studies, participatory photography was used for different reasons: to solve urban design problems (Kwok and Ku 2008), to generate insight into the lives and cultural identities of Kurdish workers in London (Holgate et al 2012), and to understand risky behavior of Hispanic men in the US, linking alcohol and sexual violence (Rhodes et al 2009). However, a key component across all three studies, was that visual elements helped to articulate cultural identities, creating a bridge between researchers, participants and community members from different cultural backgrounds.…”