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Photography

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Arts-Based Methods in Refugee Research

Abstract

Photographs have a unique ability to evoke emotional responses among viewers who consider another’s point of view. In the field of refugee research, collaborative and participatory uses of photographic methods have only emerged in recent times. By framing and depicting their own lived experiences rather than being the ‘object’ of others’ gaze and framing, Knowledge Holders can use photography as a means to challenge detrimental visual narratives of forced migration. I focus on participatory photographic approaches where Knowledge Holders are the ones holding the camera to provide their perspectives, mainly through the method of photo-voice. The use of photography in research requires the consideration of a distinct set of issues linked to representation, participation and (mis)interpretation.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    For the photographer’s reflection on this project, see: http://www.asocialpractice.com/shannon-ghannam/.

  2. 2.

    Some of the children were very talented. Photographs by Avijit, who was 12 at the time, drew the attention of the World Press Photo Foundation, and he was invited to travel to Amsterdam to be part of their Children’s Jury in 2002 (Briski, 2004).

  3. 3.

    Of note, a man involved in Alexandra’s project (Vukasin Nedeljkovic) is a PhD candidate who curates his own website, Asylum Archive (www.asylumarchive.com). This online photographic collection started off as a coping mechanism for him and has since grown to become a repository of narratives of exile, displacement, trauma, and memory.

  4. 4.

    This strategy was used as a powerful counter-narrative in 2018 for the #africangangs movement on social media, when Melbourne’s Sudanese community posted photographs of achievements and positive events to speak back against being labelled gang members.

  5. 5.

    See https://www.ishar.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/photovoice-project_booklet-of-images_may_2018_web-version.pdf and https://theconversation.com/how-a-photo-research-project-gives-refugee-women-a-voice-in-resettlement-policy-98165.

  6. 6.

    See (Lenette et al., 2018) for full outline of her digital story.

  7. 7.

    See http://www.refugeewomen.co.uk/about-us/.

  8. 8.

    See http://www.unhcr.org/innovation/7-art-initiatives-that-are-transforming-the-lives-of-refugees/.

  9. 9.

    See https://maptia.com/reza/stories/exile-voices.

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  1. School of Social Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Caroline Lenette

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  1. Caroline Lenette
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Correspondence to Caroline Lenette .

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Lenette, C. (2019). Photography. In: Arts-Based Methods in Refugee Research. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-8008-2_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-8008-2_6

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