Portraiture as collage: ethnic studies as a methodological framework for education research

Abstract

In this article, Curammeng addresses how Ethnic Studies can inform portraiture and its capacity for qualitative research studies. Using Filipino American teachers’ narratives, Curammeng describes portraiture as collages demonstrating how such an approach offers new modes of engagement for portraitists’ collaborators and readers. The implications from this work illuminate how portraiture – through an Ethnic Studies perspective – draws attention to the multi-layered and nuanced experiences of teachers, how they make sense of their work as minoritized people, and how qualitative researchers can utilize Ethnic Studies with portraiture to capture these nuances. Finally, Curammeng argues for the consideration of ‘decipherment’ to piece together new methodological strengths for portraitists and educational research.