Visible VoiceCollaborative Visual Ethnography

www.visiblevoice.info

vincentobrien@mac.com

DisseminateTarget

Population

‘Expert’ Research

Subjects

Researcher

Experts

Policy Makers

Interpret

Analyse

Researcher

Providers

Participatory Research

Actio

n

Researcher

Participant

Analysis

Dissemination

Dissemination

Focus

Actio

n

Researcher

Participant

Analysis

Dissemination

Dissemination

Focus

Why use visual methods?

Visual representation is embedded within all human societies Visual communication complements verbal and textual communication Visible records provide a rich source of data Visible materials capture data not recordable in other forms.

Connecting

Making

Sharing

Researching through

Alien Films

Cultural Probes

Visibility Capture ExpertiseDialogue

How to Make Felt: Felt Art Studio, Bokonbaevo

Public Ethnography

Fine G A. Towards a Peopled Ethnography: Developing Theory from Group Life. Ethnography. 2003; 4: 41-60

In a peopled ethnography the text is neither descriptive narrative nor conceptual theory; rather, the understanding of the setting and its theoretical implications are grounded in a set of detailed vignettes, based on field notes, interview extracts, and the texts that group members produce. The detailed account, coupled with the ability of the reader to generalize from the setting, is at the heart of this methodological perspective.

Public sociology’s most general purpose is to make the discipline more useful socially, and public ethnography is particularly suited to achieve this purpose.!!Operationally, public ethnography must be relevant to and accepted by the lay public.!!public ethnography needs to be topic-driven, shedding sociological light—and if possible new information—on topics relevant to the public.

Gans H J. Public Ethnography; Ethnography as Public Sociology. Qualitative Sociology. 2010; 33: 97-104.

Visual ActivismConstruction

requires reflexive engagement facilitates personal change encourages collaborative analysis and raises awareness of community issues

Dissemination encourages community debate contested interpretation of issues informs and supports social advocacy

Sustainability develops reflexive research and analytical skills participatory, collaborative, personal and community development creative public outputs can raise income to support development

Authenticity