Photovoice Methodology Research Articles

Demonstrating Pedagogical Content Knowledge Through the Development of Educational Science Board Games

Preservice teachers who are specialising in the teaching of the subject natural science at a primary school level, ought to demonstrate the ability to present lessons that provoke a joyful yet meaningful educational experience amongst learners. One such approach that was taken, was when natural science preservice teachers were tasked with developing educational science board games as a means to enrich their teaching practice during a recent school visitation opportunity. However, given this educational exercise, what remains a mystery from a teacher development perspective is whether this exercise provoked some form of ‘pedagogical thinking’ among preservice teachers? It is with this question in mind, that the study investigated whether the task of developing educational science board games sparked the ability of preservice teachers to demonstrate knowledge of pedagogical content. The study draws on a modified understanding of Shulman’s pedagogical content knowledge model, which in the context of gamification requires one to effectively transmit ‘subject knowledge’ in an interactive manner through ‘educational board game practices and engagement’. Using a focus group discussion and photo-voice methodology as data collection techniques, this qualitative study uncovered how preservice teachers demonstrated i) knowledge of the curriculum, ii) knowledge of instructional strategies, iii) knowledge of learner-thinking, and iv) knowledge of assessment. This study holds a series of implications for future research in the field of initial teacher development and STEM education. For example, it will be interesting to uncover how preservice teachers experience the use of educational board games in their teaching. In addition, it will also be interesting to discover how educational board games can be used in other STEM subjects such as mathematics, technology, and physical science. Ultimately, more research is also required on the learning benefits of educational board games from a learner’s perspective.

Exploring the Methodological Benefits and Challenges of Utilising a Photovoice Methodology With Individuals in Recovery From Problem Substance Use.

Photovoice is a type of visual research method which supports participants to reflect upon their experiences by capturing digital images. It is a methodology that is routinely used with groups that could be considered vulnerable, as a way of allowing participants to tell their stories for themselves. This article details the process of conducting a Photovoice study with individuals in recovery from problem substance use and reflects on the methodological benefits and challenges of utilising a visual research methodology with this population. Researchers wishing to conduct a Photovoice study with individuals in recovery should be mindful of striking a delicate balance between respecting an individual's autonomy and ensuring their wellbeing. Although ethically complex, Photovoice is an ideal method for research with this population as it allows participants to convey meaning and introduce narratives for themselves in an engaging way.

Women's collectives and social support: exploring pathways and impacts among forcibly displaced women.

During humanitarian crises, women face both heightened vulnerabilities and a disruption to their social networks. Previous research points to the positive impact of women's collectives in low-income settings, but less is known about the distinct forms, mechanisms, and consequences of the social support that emerges from these collectives, particularly for women affected by conflict. Recognizing the importance of social support in such contexts, this study utilizes the photovoice methodology to examine the dynamics of social support across women's collectives in three distinct settings. This study recruited forcibly displaced women participating in women's collectives in Indonesia (n = 5), Jordan (n = 12), and Uganda (n = 11). Photovoice, a participatory research method that centers the voices of study participants, was implemented across 7-8 sessions in each setting. Participants took photographs in response to four prompts and then discussed their pictures and lived experiences related to social support in facilitated discussion groups. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis and a mixed inductive and deductive approach. Across all study sites, participants highlighted the importance of five types of informal social support: emotional, instrumental, informational, companionship, and esteem support. Emotional support, one of the most prominently mentioned forms, served to buffer against stressors and enhance mental well-being. Instrumental and informational support facilitated meeting basic needs, accessing resources, and, in Uganda, improving members' physical safety. Companionship support fostered a sense of belonging and shared identity, while esteem support validated members' perspectives and aspirations and bolstered self-worth. In the Jordan collective, esteem support proved especially beneficial in countering the marginalization members experienced in their community. Findings underscore the critical role of women's collectives in providing diverse forms of social support to foster empowerment, agency, and resilience among forcibly displaced women. By centering the voices of participants and employing survivor-centered approaches like photovoice, this study amplifies the perspectives of women within these collectives, contributing to more inclusive and responsive humanitarian interventions. Future research should continue prioritizing women's experiences and research questions, ensuring that interventions address their needs effectively.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: Using Photovoice Methodology to Explore Perceptions of Servant-Leadership During International Service-Learning

Healthcare education programs are tasked to develop the leadership capacity of students in the preparation for them to become future healthcare providers who can holistically address the needs of complex communities and our society at large. Educational institutions often look to experiential learning opportunities where students can be active participants in the exploration of new leadership behaviors. In particular, service-learning experiences may help support the development of servant leadership qualities. These experiences and qualities both aid in the development of empathetic, inclusive practitioners and professions. A gap in literature exists on health profession students’ perceptions of these experiences and if they are influential to the development of servant leadership behaviors, thus warranting further examination.
 This paper is a qualitative investigation of servant-leadership using Photovoice methodology. Graduate healthcare students studied the concepts of servant-leadership then engaged in an international service-learning opportunity. Broad and deep contextualization of photographs taken during the time abroad explored the five themes of servant leadership: stewardship, partnership, obligation, emotional healing, and elevated purpose. A novel finding was the emergence of intentionally actioned cultural awareness within healthcare service delivery with the authors newly defining the term, cultural humilitence. Conclusions were drawn that support strong researcher and student-generated contextualization alignment with literature-based constructs of leadership and service, and the need for investment by institutions to cultivate experiences (domestic and international) which build interprofessional, transprofessional, and culturally aware teams.

Challenging dominant narratives, interrupting objectification, and queer creativity: Queer sex worker art in Los Angeles

Drawing on queer of color critique, this paper uses mixed methods including participant observation, interviews, visual and textual analysis, and photovoice to interrogate sex workers’ queer creative practices. Building upon the larger oeuvre of sex working artists, contemporary sex working artists in Los Angeles utilizes queer creativity to thwart hegemonic readings of sex work. Performances at two activist fundraisers drew on the themes and esthetics of sex work to counter mainstream narratives about sex work and workers, and to interrupt their objectification. The cover and graphics of a sex worker zine push back against dominant narratives about sex workers and the power structures that suppress sex worker self-representation. Photovoice methodology allowed sex workers to counteract objectification by telling their own stories. In their creative products, sex workers show how “queer” is a praxis of sex and gender disruption, rather than a simple identity category signaling non-heterosexuality, challenging homonormativity in addition to heteronormativity.

“Here I’m Black, there I’m White”: Israeli social-workers retrospective perspective on intercultural encounters in India and Ethiopia during their training

ABSTRACT International social work brings about an intercultural encounter between guests and hosts from the North and the South, a division associated with power relations. This type of encounter creates a unique learning space for international social work students. In light of the transformative learning theory, the study examined the retrospective perspective of Israeli social workers regarding their intercultural encounter when visiting India and Ethiopia as part of their international social work training. It focuses on formative experiences, which have the potential to generate transformative learning. Using a qualitative approach and photovoice methodology, data was collected from 14 social workers who had taken part in an international social work program. Three main themes emerged from the analysis: 1) Local professional orientation; 2) Exposure to local social-cultural issues; 3) The intercultural encounter as a mirror of Israeli society. The findings shed light on how formative experiences in a foreign land create a basis for transformative learning. The results suggest the need to replace the term ‘culture shock’ with the notion of disorienting dilemmas in order to serve the goals of reflective learning from intercultural encounters and context-dependent learning in social work education in general, and international social work education in particular.

More than words: Photovoice as an innovative participatory approach to explore perceptions of rare dementia, a pilot study

AbstractBackgroundThere is limited evidence internationally exploring the everyday experiences of people living with rare dementia (PLWRD)– by which we mean atypical, inherited, and young onset forms of dementia– from their own subjective perspectives. Photovoice (Wang and Burris, 1997) is an inclusive, empowering visual research methodology that facilitates collaboration and supports shared understandings. This pilot study presents findings from the first known study where an inclusive research team, including individuals with different rare dementia diagnoses (e.g. Primary Progressive Aphasia, Posterior Cortical Atrophy, Dementia with Lewy bodies) used Photovoice methodology to visually represent experiences and perspectives of living with these conditions.MethodDrawing on Freire’s empowerment pedagogy, the study aims were consistent with global Photovoice aims: enabling people to visually record critical dialogue about their experiences of dementia through photography. We investigated the benefits and challenges of Photovoice methodology with this population and sought to identify perspectives of rare dementia from eight PLWRD. Data analysis utilised an iterative, participatory approach in which researchers and co‐researchers selected, contextualised, and codified the data. Thematic analyses involved both inductive and realist approaches.ResultThis paper discusses some of the practical challenges associated with using this methodology with PLWRD, as well as issues concerning co‐researcher’s perspectives on the acceptability and utility of Photovoice. We examine the benefits and challenges of using Photovoice and discuss lessons learned relating to the co‐production of topics and outputs, including barriers and facilitators to co‐researcher engagement with the study processes (e.g. use of cameras, photo upload).ConclusionThis pilot study will help inform a larger scale project where Photovoice and other creative participatory approaches (e.g. graphic elicitation) will be applied within a participatory action research framework that will promote group and individual reflection on dementia perspectives. In turn we hope this will lead to social action on a local and national level by co‐researchers with rare forms of dementia. This study contributes to the existing, if limited, international literature on creative participatory approaches with PLWRD.

SELF-CONCEPT development of school-aged children with congenital upper limb differences: A mixed-methods study

BackgroundSchool-aged children enter an essential phase of psychosocial development in which they begin to form their self-concept. Having a negative self-concept has a direct relationship on the gradual evolution of a child's personality which can influence academic and career success, peer interactions and relationships, generativity and life satisfaction and meaning. There is limited research examining self-concept in children with congenital upper limb differences. ObjectivesDescribe self-concept in school-aged children with congenital upper limb differences (CULD). MethodsIn this convergent mixed methods study, we used the Piers Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale (PHCSCS) and modified photovoice methodology to explore self-concept in school aged children with CULD. The quantitative results from the PHCSCS were merged with the qualitative findings from the 63 photographs and 63 written descriptions provided by nine children. ResultsMean self-concept was 51.22 (±10.43). Mean domain scores: behavioral adjustment 52 (±8.19), freedom from anxiety 48.56 (±10.42), happiness and satisfaction 49.44 (±10.73), intellectual and school status 54.78 (±10.31), and social acceptance 49.89 (±8.64). Nine participants described five themes of self-concept: emotions, sense of accomplishments, positive view of oneself and one's physical body, hobbies, and a sense of connection. Children defined their self-concept through expressions of self-efficacy, self-image, and social identity. ImplicationsResults created a more comprehensive description of self-concept, and expanded understanding of the social identity of school-aged children with congenital upper limb difference. Future research is needed to examine the relationships between self-efficacy, self-image, and social identity to develop interventions promoting healthy self-concept development.

Realities and ideals: Experiences and needs of pediatric oncology nurses in communication processes with children and their families at the end‐of‐life period: A photovoice qualitative study

AbstractEffective communication in end‐of‐life care for pediatric cancer patients is crucial. Yet, limited research focuses on the communication experiences of pediatric oncology nurses during this period. This study aims to investigate the communication experiences and needs of these nurses with children and their families during the end‐of‐life period. A qualitative study design with photo voice methodology was followed. The research was conducted with 16 pediatric oncology nurses working in the pediatric oncology wards of a university hospital between January and May 2023. Data were collected the “Characteristic Information Form”, “Semi‐Structured Interview Form”, and photovoice methodology. Data were analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis. Most of the nurses are at the undergraduate level, and their working experience in pediatric oncology wards ranges from 4 months to 17 years. Seven main themes emerged: Optimistic Communication‐Interaction, Mindfulness, Active Coping, Behavioral Actions, Death Uncertainty Dilemma, Interpersonal and Environmental Factors, and Discrepancy between Ideals and Reality. The study sheds light on the importance of pediatric oncology nurses' ideals versus realities upstream approach in communicating with end‐of‐life children and their families, empowering pediatric oncology nurses on the journey to ideal end‐of‐life care.

Community Participation Challenges for Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders During COVID-19 A Photovoice Study.

Autistic Individuals with or without co-occurring Mental Health Conditions Experience Challenges with Community Participation that can Affect Quality of life. These Challenges Involve, but are not Limited to, Transportation, Finances, Accessibility, Attitude towards Participation, and Infrastructure Issues. COVID-19 Added a new Layer of Community Participation Barriers for all Individuals, Especially Autistic Individuals. The purpose of this study is to understand the perceived community participation barriers and facilitators encountered by autistic individuals during a public health crisis using the Photovoice methodology. The study will compare these perceptions of autistic individuals with and without co-occurring mental health conditions during a public health crisis to determine if any distinctions can be determined. Photovoice, an established qualitative outreach methodology, was the foundation for the methods. Participants completed a narrative answering the question "what is a barrier or facilitator to your community participation?" Data were analyzed using grounded theory. Seventeen autistic participants with a mean age of 23 completed the Photovoice study. Eleven (65%) reported at least one co- occurring mental health condition. Data analysis resulted in two major themes COVID-19 and Transportation; and six subthemes access, safety, technology, leisure, shared experiences, and sensory. Autistic individuals with and without co-occurring mental health conditions chose to identify barriers more than facilitators. Participants without co-occurring mental health conditions viewed COVID-19 as a facilitator almost twice as often as those without. Participants with co-occurring mental health conditions reported transportation more as a barrier than those without. In this study conducted during COVID-19 regulations, autistic individuals identified COVID-19 and transportation as the primary barriers to community participation. COVID-19 was identified as both a barrier and a facilitator. Autistic individuals identified that COVID-19 enabled more on-line participation. Autistic individuals with co-occurring mental health conditions can experience a greater increase in symptoms when daily routines and participation are affected. Disruption and changes in participation for the autistic community during the COVID-19 pandemic can have future implications on this population's ability to reintroduce themselves into community participation. Identified facilitators; technology, shared experiences, and leisure are useful tools to combat the participation barriers.

Adolescents' Perceptions of Sexuality: A Qualitative Study.

Adolescents have a greater risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which is a serious public health problem. Education is an effective strategy to improve adolescent sexual health outcomes. However, Spanish adolescents have a lack of sex education. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions and opinions of a sample of adolescents regarding sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Photovoice is a research method that uses the search for images of everyday events with the intention of bringing about social change. An exploratory, descriptive design was used with a qualitative approach based on the Photovoice methodology. The sample consisted of 26 high school and baccalaureate students of Almería (Spain) selected through a convenience sample. The age of the participants ranged from 14 to 17 years, with a mean age of 15.31 years. Two main categories were extracted from the data analysis: 'Towards a culture of preventing STIs and promoting healthy sexual practices' and 'Adolescents' needs from their perspective'. In conclusion, numerous changes take place at the biopsychosocial level during adolescence that imply a need to explore their sexuality in depth. A lack of knowledge and a carefree attitude during sexual initiation can increase the risk of developing STIs. The study's adolescents stated that they do not have adequate sex education to acquire sufficient knowledge about sexuality and sexual health, and therefore, request that the traditional format be modified in order to achieve better results.

Harnessing community expertise in understanding food insecurity to inform responses in a local government area in Victoria, Australia: a mixed methods photovoice study

BackgroundLocal food systems which support affordable, equitable, accessible, and sustainable food are important to enhance food access and reduce food insecurity. Cardinia Shire Council, a local government in Victoria, Australia has developed and endorsed a ‘Community Food Strategy’ to support their local food system and food security. This study aimed to explore local government community member perspectives regarding food access within their local food environment, and suggested areas to be addressed to better support access.MethodsA sequential mixed methods photovoice methodology was implemented. Participants aged over 18 years, who resided in Cardinia Shire, completed an online quantitative survey to explore demographics, food access and food security status and severity (18-item USDA Household Food Security Survey Module). The qualitative photovoice method was used, whereby participants were asked to take photographs that represent their experiences of food access. These photographs were used as prompts in a semi-structured interview Interview data were thematically analysed.ResultsSeventeen participants completed the study, of which five participants experienced varied severity levels of food insecurity. From the photovoice interviews four themes were developed: 1) Food: a connector to self, people and place, 2) Influencers of food access and triggers for food insecurity, 3) Savvy food literacy skills to support access to food, 4) Consequences of and struggles with food insecurity. Participants suggested recommendations for action to support future food access in their community.ConclusionsWhile food choice is influenced by a range of determinants, the local food environment greatly impacts both food access and food choice. A supportive local food system which promotes inclusion of a community voice, community connectedness, food literacy and physical and economic access to local produce is crucial to support food security.

Exploring belonging through photovoice: examining the impact of space design on diverse student populations in an academic library

PurposeThis paper aims to uncover characteristics of physical spaces that evoke feelings of welcome and belonging in a diverse student population in an academic library.Design/methodology/approachThe photovoice method was used to allow research participants an active role in shaping research questions and collecting and analyzing data.FindingsThe research reveals that space design significantly influences students' feelings of physical safety, emotional well-being and safety and ownership (or sense of belonging) in academic library spaces, thereby emphasizing the importance of considering space design in promoting student well-being and inclusiveness.Originality/valueThis research used photovoice methodology to engage underrepresented student communities in providing input into the design of library spaces.

Looking through the lens: a photovoice study examining access to services for newcomer children

ABSTRACT Purpose Canadian new immigrant families (also known as newcomers) encounter challenges navigating systems when trying to access programmes critical for their children’s healthy development. The purpose of this study is to understand how newcomer families find and use early childhood programmes and services from the perspective of families and early childhood educators (ECEs) working within a settlement organization. Methods Using photovoice methodology, newcomer family members (n = 8) with young children and ECEs (n = 6) participated in a series of virtual workshops to share photos and reflect on their experiences. Results Participants discussed the systemic barriers that obstructed newcomer families’ access to services for young newcomer children. Financial challenges due to unemployment/underemployment, language and cultural differences were emphasized. Despite these barriers and challenges, participants shared how culturally responsive programmes enhanced their connections to programmes and services. Both groups of participants discussed the critical role of social networks in supporting newcomers to use programmes by helping families become aware of available services and assistance with various processes such as registration. Conclusions This research illustrates the lived experiences of newcomer families and identifies opportunities to address inequities, improve early childhood programmes, and enhance families’ access to programmes and services.

Perception of online education during COVID-19: Online Photovoice (OPV) and ecological systems theory

ABSTRACT In this research, we used Community-Based Participatory Research, Ecological Systems Theory and active interdisciplinary social advocacy perspectives as part of our theoretical framework. Our sample consisted of 530 counselling undergraduate students with 481 consenting to participate by sharing the most important main facilitators and barriers for their online or distance education during COVID-19 pandemic. We used Online Photovoice methodology to get the students lived experiences focusing on their counselling major and Online Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to analyse shared experiences. Thirteen main facilitators emerged (e.g. The contribution of technology in distance education, 22%; computer, PC: Technological tools, 18%; internet, 14%) and 22 main barrier themes emerged (e.g. lack of technological tools and related knowledge, 16%; transition to distance education, 13%; emotions that are difficult to cope with, 12%). We also examined how participants attribute these facilitator and barrier themes to Ecological Systems Theory levels.

Social ecological resources for youths living with HIV in western Uganda.

The adversities faced by youths living with HIV (YLWH) are manifold, resulting not only from the health impact but also from society's response to HIV and the people living with it. This study sought to explore these youths' perceptions and representations of what promotes resilience. Photovoice methodology was chosen to elicit first-person accounts that are grounded in lived experience and experiential knowledge. Eleven young people, boys and girls aged 14-21 living in western Uganda, participated in seven group sessions aimed at imagining, producing and discussing visual stories about what fosters resilience in the face of HIV-related adversity. The visual stories were subjected to inductive content analysis by the participants, and then thematically analyzed and interpreted by the researchers using the theoretical framework of social-ecological resilience. We found that participants experience well-being amidst HIV-related adversity through managing tensions in material resources, sense of identity, power and control in their lives, cultural adherence, relationships, sense of cohesion and social justice. The findings add to the body of knowledge on youth resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa by documenting multisystemic resources for YLWH in Ugandan communities. The findings further show that resources are highly incidental and situational, neither widely available nor structurally embedded in society. The study therefore informs the global HIV/AIDS agenda to spur ecologies of resilience around YLWH.

Examining the Views Of Women with Different Education Levels About Sexuality by Using Online Photovoice Methodology (OPV)

“Kadın” ve “Cinsellik” yan yana dahi getirilmekten kaçınılmış iki kavram. Konuşulmayan, öğretilmeyen ve keşfedilirken birçok toplumsal engelle karşılaşan cinsellik, bireyin varoluşunun yadsınamaz bir parçası. Bu sebeple birçok konuda öteki haline gelmiş kadınların cinselliğe bakışını görebilmek amacıyla bu araştırma yürütülmüştür. Araştırmanın önceliği, ele alınmayan bu konuyu bilimsel bir yöntemle inceleyerek bireyin farkındalık kazanmasına yardımcı olmaktır. Bir diğer amacı ise ortaya çıkan veriler aracılığıyla diğer bireylere ulaşarak konuyla ilgili toplumsal farkındalık oluşturmaktır.
 Farklı eğitim düzeyine sahip kadınların cinselliğe bakışını incelerken Online Seslifoto (OSF) yöntemi kullanılmış ve katılımcılardan cinselliklerini tanımlayan temsili bir fotoğraf çekmeleri istenmiştir. Çektikleri bu fotoğrafa, GÖZSAN sorularından faydalanarak yazdıkları hikaye ile anlam katmışlardır. Son olarak ise, katılımcıların sözcüklerinin zarar görmemesi için “tema”nın onlar tarafından belirlendiği Online Yorumlayıcı Fenomenolojik Analiz (OYFA) yapılmış; bu temalar üzerinden tüm katılımcılar, araştırmacı tarafından belirlenen “ana tema” gruplarına dahil edilmiştir. 
 Çalışma sonunda 12 ana tema ortaya çıkmıştır. En sık tekrarlanan ana temalardan ilk üçü şöyle olmuştur: Hoşa giden/istenen duygular (aitlik duygusu, aşk, coşku, güven, heyecan, huzur, masumiyet/saflık, mutluluk, sevgi, şefkat, tutku, umut, zevk) ( n=56, % 32), hoşa giden/istenen bedensel hisler(ahenk/uyum, arzulamak, canlanma, cinsel uyarılma, dişil hissetmek, gevşeme/ enerji boşaltımı, güçlü hissetmek, hissetmek, orgazm, tanrıça gibi hissetmek) (n=28, %16), Hoşa giden/istenen davranışlar(dokunmak/temas, haz, ilgi, mastürbasyon, öpüşmek, saygı, seks, teslimiyet, yakınlık) (n=28, %16).
 Katılımcıların cinsellik tanımlarına eğitim düzeyi boyutuyla bakılmış ve farklılık olup olmadığı araştırılmıştır. Eğitim düzeyinin cinselliği tanımlamada farklılaştığı yerin, “Özgürlük” ve “Varoluş- Kendini arama/tanıma/keşif” ana temaları olduğu görülmüştür. Bu temalar yalnızca lisans, yüksek lisans ve doktora eğitim düzeylerinden katılımcılar tarafından kullanılmıştır.
 Pandemi döneminde yapılmış olan bu araştırma, Online Seslifoto (OSF) ve kadın cinselliğini ilk kez bir araya getirmesi sebebiyle alanyazına katkı sağlayacağı düşünülmektedir.

First-Generation Students in Visual Composition: The Centrality of Race, Rootedness, and Relationship

This study focuses on how first-generation college students understand their first-generation identity in relation to their other multiple identities. Through photovoice methodology, students demonstrate the meaning making of being first-generation college students related to their other social identities. This study discusses four themes: (a) centrality of race and ethnicity, (b) rootedness, (c) grounding in community, and (d) negotiating multiple identities. This study discusses future implications for how practice and research should consider the first-generation identity alongside other social identities.

Urbino belonging: Exploring place-based community heritage with digital & participatory methods

ABSTRACT What we understand and choose as heritage is a question rooted in our individual and collective notions of identity and feelings of community. Critical heritage studies highlight the links between heritage and recognition, emotions, and the everyday lives of people and communities. We introduce a methodology for a digitally facilitated and participatory study of place-based community heritage. Inspired by Participatory Data Design and Photovoice methodologies, the Urban Belonging App enables participants to communicate phenomenological aspects of urban spaces by sharing, signifying, and evaluating pictures of familiar places in the city. A quali-quantitative analysis of the app’s data best exploits its multi-dimensionality: the characteristic of being both countable and measurable and semantically rich and relational. The case study illustrates how the methodology is used to study community heritage in an exploratory and descriptive way. Most valued and recognised heritage places, as well as less conventional understandings of heritage in Urbino, Italy, are identified. Two participants show how heritage differently embeds with everyday experiences, memories, and feelings of community. Its adaptability and ability to capture the contested and phenomenological nature of heritage and to operationalise complex definitions of community qualify the methodology to enable systematic research on bottom-up, situated heritage values.

Through Their Eyes: Youth Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health Barriers and Facilitators in Baltimore, Maryland

PurposeYouth face barriers to sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Few states require the delivery of comprehensive sex education in schools, and youth report challenges with accessing clinical care. We sought to identify youth's perceived barriers and facilitators to SRH in their communities. MethodsWe utilized photovoice, a community-based participatory research methodology. Youth were recruited from high schools in Baltimore, Maryland. Participants were given a tutorial on Photovoice methodology and photography. In groups of 5–7 participants, youth brainstormed questions relevant to their perspective of SRH. Three months were allocated to taking photographs. Participants wrote brief narratives to accompany their photographs, and group level assessment was used for participants to comment on others' photographs. Participants discussed the narratives and comments, created themes, and generated action steps to address barriers to SRH. Further thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo. ResultsThere were 30 participants aged 14–19 years with 26 self-identifying as female and four nonbinary. Self-identified race/ethnicity included 50% Black/African American, 30% Asian American, and 20% White or Hispanic/Latino. Four domains emerged: desire for societal-level change, community-level change, peer-level change, and positive examples of SRH within their communities (e.g., gender-inclusive spaces and free menstrual products). DiscussionYouth photographs shed light on a strong desire for an improved school environment, in terms of safety, cleanliness, gender-inclusivity, menstrual product access, and SRH education.