Re-examining and reimagining power in participatory visual methodologies: a collaborative autoethnography

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to re-examine and reimagine the role of power in participatory visual methodologies (PVM) research. From our four unique standpoints as higher education faculty (two of us identify as queer white women and two of us identify as Black women; all of us as ciswomen), we engage a collective autoethnographic approach to reflect on power and its influence in our work as visual methods researchers. We (re)present the findings from this study in the format of a scholarly discussion about power discussing the affordances and constraints we experience and our resistance to either/or thinking as we navigate tensions and contradictions that emerge while carrying out research using PVM. We end with recommendations for liberating research practices through PVM.

Keywords:

• Power
• qualitative
• participatory visual methodologies

Disclosure statement

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

Notes

1 See Appendix A for information about the research design.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Robin Phelps-Ward

Robin Phelps-Ward, Ed.D. is an Assistant Professor of Higher Education and Director of the Student Affairs Administration and Higher Education Program at Ball State University.

Amanda O. Latz

Amanda O. Latz, Ed.D. is an Associate Professor of Higher Education and Community College Leadership and Director of the Doctorate of Education in Higher Education at Ball State University.

Bridget Turner Kelly

Bridget Turner Kelly, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Student Affairs and Graduate Program Director of the Higher Education, Student Affairs, and International Education Policy Program at the University of Maryland-College Park.

Carrie Kortegast

Carrie Kortegast, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Higher Education and Student Affairs at Northern Illinois University.