Look and tell: using photo-elicitation methods with teenagers

Abstract

This article reflects on the usefulness of photo elicitation in research with young people. As part of an Economic and Social Research Council-funded project exploring conflict and divisions in contested cities, teenagers living or attending schools in segregated areas of Belfast were presented with 11 photographs depicting the city's traditional ethno religious divisions, the new ‘post conflict’ consumerist city and youth subcultures. In response to each photo, the young people produced individual written comments and their opinions were fleshed out during follow-up focus group interviews. Drawing on these responses, the strengths and weaknesses of using photo elicitation in research with young people and its capacity to generate new insights into teenagers' spatial perceptions and experiences are outlined.

Keywords:

• teenagers
• photo elicitation
• Belfast
• spatial practices

Notes

1. Conflict in Cities and the Contested State, ESRC Large Grant RES-060-25-0015 [2007–2012].