How do we ethically and effectively share photos, videos, and other visual products from online photovoice and digital storytelling projects? In this episode, host Dr. Sarah Switzer chats with participatory visual method researchers Dr. Casey Burkholder and Dr. Jean Breny about the challenges and best practices in sharing videos and photos from online digital storytelling, cellphilming, and photovoice projects. They dive into topics like navigating research ethics when sharing and exhibiting videos or photos online, adapting exhibitions to online platforms, and keeping communities at the center of the work. Plus, they explore the real-world impact of these methods on policy and social change. Tune in for an insightful and practical discussion!

Conversation Outline:

• Introduction (0:08-2:56)
• Considerations for exhibiting online and by distance (02:57-12:53)
• This webpage is unavailable: Sharing and maintaining photos and video archives (12:54-19:39)
• Research ethics and accountability to communities (19:40-27:47)
• Flexibility and adaptability in participatory visual methods (27:48-29:32)
• Research and policy impacts: Fostering local change through "conversations with your auntie” (29:33-35:12)
• Final thoughts and reflections on exhibiting visual products online (35:13-38:18)

Referenced Texts and Resources:

Beyond the Toolkit: Community-Engagement in COVID-19. https://www.beyondthetoolkit.com/

Burkholder, Casey, et al. “Reflexively Revisiting Three Participatory Cellphilm Archives.” Re-Visioning Cellphilming Methodology, Springer Nature Singapore, 2024, pp. 115–30, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-3218-0_8.

Breny, Jean M., and Shannon L. McMorrow. Photovoice for Social Justice : Visual Representation in Action. SAGE Publishing, 2021.

Switzer, Sarah. “‘People Give and Take a Lot in Order to Participate in Things:’ Youth Talk Back - Making a Case for Non-Participation.” Curriculum Inquiry, vol. 50, no. 2, 2020, pp. 168–93, https://doi.org/10.1080/03626784.2020.1766341.

To Cite this Episode:

⁠Switzer, S. (Host). (2024, Dec 3). ⁠Sharing our work online: A conversation with Casey Burkholder and Jean Breny [audio podcast episode]. In Let Me Just Share My Screen. Productionby Janna Martin, Centre for Community Based Research and Trillium Health Partners.

Learn More:

• For more information on the project, to view theepisode transcript, and to learn more about online digital storytelling and photovoice (including some introductory resources), visit: https://aim4communityhealth.ca/exploring-participatory-visual-methods-online/
• For more on the Centre for Community BasedResearch

Participatory visual methods are often promoted as a way to attend to power dynamics in research, as well as foster ownership and participant autonomy. However, what happens when these methods are conducted online? How can researchers foster safer online spaces that are accessible to people with different needs and circumstances? How does the online space introduce or complicate conceptions of equitable participation? In this episode, guests Dr. Keri-Lyn Durant and Dr. April Bell discuss their experience with hybrid and online facilitation of digital storytelling. They reflect on the practices of building trust, safety, and care when discussing sensitive or stigmatized topics - all of which contribute to a space of vulnerability where intimate stories are shared, and friendships are formed. While power dynamics between researcher and participants may remain, the guests describe how they ensure ethics and participant autonomy in the making and sharing of digital stories. By providing thoughtful questions and equity-informed practices, this episode will help support new and established visual methods practitioners create more equitable and accessible online spaces for participatory visual methods.

Conversation Outline:

• Introduction (0:00-3:27)
• Addressing the digital divide and balancing structure with flexibility (3:28-6:48)
• Fostering trust, safety, and care (6:49-14:24)
• Building a container of care for online spaces (14:25-19:31)
• Centering autonomy and addressing power dynamics in online spaces (19:32-33:09)
• The transformative impact of digital storytelling (33:10-35:03)

Referenced resource: Disrupting Death: Conversations about medicalassistance and dying [audio podcast]. https://www.disruptingdeath.ca/episodes.

Learn More:

• For more information on the project, to view theepisode transcript, and to learn more about online digital storytelling and photovoice, visit: aim4communityhealth.ca/exploring-participatory-visual-methods-online/
• For more on the Centre for Community BasedResearch

To cite this episode:

Martin, J. (Host). (2025, Apr 10). Equity and Accessibilityin Participatory Visual Methods for Online Spaces: A conversation with April Bell and Keri-Lyn Durant [audio podcast episode]. In Let Me Just Share My Screen. Production by Janna Martin, Centre for Community Based Research and Trillium Health Partners.