Photovoice in 4 Steps

Using Photovoice as a creative final assignment method will let you, the student, record and reflect on the issues and opportunities to build on local strengths, to address climate change.  It will help promote your personal concerns and issues through your reflection and response, which if you approve, can be shared to others called "social learning".  It can also be sent to policymakers and potential employers in a "portfolio" along with your resume, cover letter and certificates, to show your interest and experience in the subject-matter.  

How to move forward for your assignment

Throughout this course you're getting exposed to so much information - some is global in scope, but most, situating Nunavut in the climate change and energy conversation through the past, present actors, and future goals and commitments to mitigate and adapt to both the indirect and direct changes occurring in our home, community and environment and sila/land.  

You may already have a burning issue that is close to your heart that you already know what you are going to photograph and talk about within the context of climate change.  That's great!  

If you're not quite sure yet, keep working through the course modules, but don't leave it too late! You want time to take lots of pictures and select your top 5 that you will use to answer the questions in the assignment, and reflect upon.

How to Take a Good Photograph

It's amazing how great the quality is from our smartphone or iPhone.  Don't worry - for this assignment you don't need to use or borrow a fancy handheld digital camera, though if you have one, that's great too!  The point of the exercise is to think about the topic and capture some visually descriptive pictures.  So here's a video to get you started!

Ethics in Research

When you are going into the community, and perhaps talking to people on the street, from an organization, climate change mitigation project team, about your assignment and what you are looking to photograph.  As a researcher, the key values are to work collaboratively with others on the basis of mutual respect and fairness.

Be open and honest what you are doing; why you are doing it; and let them know where the photograph will be used. You need to make sure you have people's permission if you are going to talk to them, or if you are including them in your photograph.  You never want to cause harm (distress, embarrassment, etc.) to people you are involving in your photographs, or yourself.  Always ask permission; be upfront as to why you are taking the picture and what it will be used for, and offer a copy of the photograph if they ask for it. Only take the picture if they agree to being photographed, but ethics in research says you cannot pay someone for their photograph.  Be sure to include their name so they can either be identified, for if they prefer, anonymous attribution is also fine - as long as you have their agreement.  And remember - if it feels off, then you probably shouldn't do it.

Sample Photovoice Photos

There are many examples of Photovoice projects that have been used globally for a range of health, community development and climate change projects.  There is no shortage of examples, but we really want to see your ideas.  If are truly stuck though, click on the following to see how the photo novella form has been used to bring light, profile and perspective to a community issue.

Have fun with the assignment, and contact the instructor if you need any assistance!