Teaching diversity in public participation through participatory research: A case study of the PhotoVoice methodology

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article provides an introduction of the PhotoVoice methodology – a community-based participatory research methodology that uses photographs to critically engage hard-to-reach populations within policymaking and the public participation process. Exposing students to qualitative methods like PhotoVoice can provide opportunities to bridge the diversity gap in public participation while promoting community engagement, cultural competency and qualitative research methodologies. This case study focuses on an undergraduate and graduate class designed to support the implementation of a PhotoVoice project with long-term HIV survivors in Miami, FL. It outlines how the method can be adopted within the classroom to not only teach critical competencies but also to support diversity within the public participation process.