Photovoice: documenting lives in aquaculture and fisheries through a gendered photo lens

Abstract

Photovoice is a research approach in which participants use photography to tell stories of issues important to them. Is Photovoice a suitable feminist research method for gender in fisheries and aquaculture? Literature on feminist research methodologies was reviewed to establish four criteria, namely, does Photovoice: (1) embody feminist research approaches? (2) use safe methods and sharing of results? (3) enable inclusion and empowerment for women? (4) reach decision makers as a potential vehicle for change? Forty articles on Photovoice based research were assessed for their relevance to the four criteria and 24 of these selected for detailed review. The evidence is that Photovoice can engage and empower women – as researchers - to gain insights into their own worlds, widen their community networks, reflect on current reality, and portray through photos and explanations what would be a preferred better reality. It also provides the primary researcher an ‘inside looking out’ perspective. Photovoice methods are aligned with feminist research approaches because they consider ethical issues to safeguard and potentially empower participants. Participants can gain empowerment by accessing decision makers who are normally beyond their reach, although action and change is not guaranteed. In developed, and developing countries, where the majority of women are employed, Photovoice research is applicable to fisheries and aquaculture.

Keywords:

• Photovoice
• aquaculture and fisheries
• visual research ethics
• gender

Acknowledgments

The author expresses gratitude to the many people in aquaculture, fisheries, and other community areas who have so generously shared their time and experiences with her, in particular Dr. Meryl Williams and anonymous reviewers. The people’s experiences continue to help the author learn more about Photovoice and how it enables decision-makers and the wider community to understand more about their lives. In particular, the author gained firsthand in her research and through reflecting on the research of others, that Photovoice is a research medium well suited to and supportive of gender-related themes. Through observing women in particular in Photovoice projects, the author has seen them engage in their own reflections, be more listened to, and develop empowerment in a safe and supportive environment to act as a catalyst to state what they want to be changed in their own lives and communities.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Janine Mary Pierce

Dr Janine Pierce is an Adjunct Research Fellow in the School of Management at the University of South Australia, conducting research and lecturing both onshore and offshore. Her current research interests include sustainable community development both in Australia and developing countries, in particular using Photovoice methodology to provide a voice to all sectors of the community.