Fostering the transformative potential of participatory photography: Insights from water and sanitation assessments

MacArthur, J; Carrard, N; Koh, S; Willetts, J

Fostering the transformative potential of participatory photography: Insights from water and sanitation assessments

MacArthur, J

Carrard, N Koh, S Willetts, J

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Publisher:: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: PLOS Water, 2022, 1, (8), pp. e0000036
Issue Date:: 2022-08-12

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	MacArthur, J https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6645-5767
dc.contributor.author	Carrard, N
dc.contributor.author	Koh, S
dc.contributor.author	Willetts, J
dc.date.accessioned	2022-08-19T15:34:37Z
dc.date.available	2022-08-19T15:34:37Z
dc.date.issued	2022-08-12
dc.identifier.citation	PLOS Water, 2022, 1, (8), pp. e0000036
dc.identifier.issn	2767-3219
dc.identifier.issn	2767-3219
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/160532
dc.description.abstract	<jats:p>Transformative research and evaluation both aim to foster social change as part of the inquiry process, often leveraging participatory and tactile methods with an advocacy objective. One such approach is participatory photography which engages marginalized individuals in image creation and includes activities such as photovoice and photo-elicitation. This article considers opportunities to strengthen the transformative potential of participatory photography activities within the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector. The research comprised two components: 1) a systematic literature review of participatory photography activities in the WASH sector (n = 32) and 2) an empirical case of a photovoice evaluation of a staff-focused gender mainstreaming intervention in Cambodia (n = 20), including a structured survey, structured observations of the evaluation process, and three participatory reflection workshops with program leadership. Drawing on the two components, we reflect on the extent to which photography-based approaches in the WASH-sector have been transformative. Our findings indicate that transformative potential can arise from participatory photography’s process and outcomes. The research identified opportunities for the WASH-sector to strengthen participatory photography by 1) purposefully recruiting participants, 2) creating engaging orientation opportunities, 3) supporting participants in ethical image creation, 4) facilitating image interpretation, and 5) progressing photo-stories into advocacy. The study also considers how participatory photography can address gender inequalities inherent in photography, hence seeking gender-transformation. While these insights were derived for participatory photography activities in the WASH sector, the findings and implications have relevance in other sectors that seek to investigate complex change and foster transformations.</jats:p>
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Public Library of Science (PLoS)
dc.relation.ispartof	PLOS Water
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1371/journal.pwat.0000036
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.title	Fostering the transformative potential of participatory photography: Insights from water and sanitation assessments
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	1
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)/Institute For Sustainable Futures
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2022-08-19T15:34:31Z
pubs.issue	8
pubs.publication-status	Published online
pubs.volume	1
utslib.citation.issue	8

Abstract:

Transformative research and evaluation both aim to foster social change as part of the inquiry process, often leveraging participatory and tactile methods with an advocacy objective. One such approach is participatory photography which engages marginalized individuals in image creation and includes activities such as photovoice and photo-elicitation. This article considers opportunities to strengthen the transformative potential of participatory photography activities within the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector. The research comprised two components: 1) a systematic literature review of participatory photography activities in the WASH sector (n = 32) and 2) an empirical case of a photovoice evaluation of a staff-focused gender mainstreaming intervention in Cambodia (n = 20), including a structured survey, structured observations of the evaluation process, and three participatory reflection workshops with program leadership. Drawing on the two components, we reflect on the extent to which photography-based approaches in the WASH-sector have been transformative. Our findings indicate that transformative potential can arise from participatory photography’s process and outcomes. The research identified opportunities for the WASH-sector to strengthen participatory photography by 1) purposefully recruiting participants, 2) creating engaging orientation opportunities, 3) supporting participants in ethical image creation, 4) facilitating image interpretation, and 5) progressing photo-stories into advocacy. The study also considers how participatory photography can address gender inequalities inherent in photography, hence seeking gender-transformation. While these insights were derived for participatory photography activities in the WASH sector, the findings and implications have relevance in other sectors that seek to investigate complex change and foster transformations.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/160532