A UGA CICR and Integrative Conservation Initiative
Photovoice is a visual research technique that combines photography, reflection, and collective engagement. Through the ICON ‘PhotoVoices’ initiative, we aim to engage with the Photovoice method to learn from and share with each other as a community. We hope to engage with contemporary themes at the intersection of people and the environment. Multiple exhibits are planned where select submissions will be presented to wider audiences, including current and prospective ICON students, ICON alumni, and program faculty.
GUIDELINES
We invite submissions from ICON students, alumni, faculty, and prospective students, along the following themes:
- Human & Beyond Human Worlds
- Envisioning Just Futures
- Experiences in the ‘Field’
- Rethinking Conservation
Submission process:
- Participants can submit recent photos or images that have already been taken before, from fieldwork or research or day by day experiences and observations.
- 1-4 images are accepted per entry.
- Each entry must include title and reflection (30-300 words per reflection).
- Unlimited entries are accepted.
- Image modifications should be limited to minor adjustments for brightness or contrast; removal of lens dust; or cropping.
- Collages or other combinations of multiple images are not accepted at this time.
- You can submit your entry here!
Timeline:
- Our first physical exhibit is planned for the 2025 Symposium on Integrative Conservation, at the University of Georgia on February 21, 2025. Entries submitted by 31 January 2025 will be considered for the February exhibit. Submissions will be accepted for future exhibits beyond this time.
Code of Ethics:
- Organizers do not own the photographs or reflections submitted as part of the Photovoice initiative.
- Participants can only submit pictures they themselves have taken.
- Sharing of the Photovoice submissions and outcomes will be done only with permission of the participant.
- Participants can withdraw their submissions at any time by reaching out to the organizers.
- Organizers will set up a system for discussing ethical concerns or considerations that come from the participants or others.
- Consent is critical when taking photographs of any people or private spaces.
- Participants must act in a culturally and contextually sensitive manner as they attempt to take pictures for the project.
- Avoid photos with visible faces of people unless informed consent has been provided. Informed consent involves providing people with complete information about the project.
- If taking photos of people or their private spaces, please share a virtual or physical copy of the photograph with them as possible.
- If you have any other ethical concerns or questions related to this project, please reach out to iconphd@uga.edu
Resources:
- Click here to see an example submission
- Additional examples:
- International Projects from photovoice.org: https://photovoice.org/projects/projects-international/
- Photovoice projects from Seeing Pastoralism:
https://seeingpastoralism.org/PHOTOVOICE-PROJECTS - Disaster and Community Crisis Center, University of Missouri
https://dcc.missouri.edu/assets/doc/pri/03_Photovoice_Examples.pdf
- Spotify Playlist with Podcasts on Photovoice: tinyurl.com/PhotovoicePodcasts
- Select Literature:
- Wang C, Burris MA. Photovoice: Concept, Methodology, and Use for Participatory Needs Assessment. Health Education & Behavior. 1997;24(3):369-387. doi
- Mulder, C., & Dull, A. (2014). Facilitating Self-Reflection: The Integration of Photovoice in Graduate Social Work Education. Social Work Education, 33(8), 1017–1036. doi
- Sutton-Brown, C. A. (2014). Photovoice: A Methodological Guide. Photography and Culture, 7(2), 169–185. doi
- Online Communities:
- Photovoice Worldwide – photovoiceworldwide.com
- PhotoVoice – photovoice.org
- Photovoice: Research Methods Toolkit – researchmethodstoolkit.com/more-approaches/photovoice