August 19, 2024

Journal of IOA Article Explores Use of Photovoice as Tool for Engagement

The latest peer-reviewed article in the Journal of the International Ombuds Association examines the use of Photovoice, a qualitative research method that gathers participant-taken photographs and narratives to translate experience into actionable knowledge. The article was authored by Birthe C. Reimers, the Director of the Office of the Ombudsperson at Georgia State University, and Alexandria Johnson, a doctoral student at GSU and former graduate research assistant in the Ombuds Office. The used Photovoice to engage Black female scholars at their university.
Here is the abstract of the article, "Photovoice: Expanding the Modern Ombuds’ Toolkit to Provide Impactful Upward Feedback about Systemic Challenges Regarding DEIB":
Ombuds offices provide confidential conflict management spaces. When seeking to foster DEIB and address related conflicts in higher education, methods of engagement for Ombuds offices can require creativity beyond the standard Ombuds toolkit. This article shares the methodology behind, and insights derived from, an intervention aimed at understanding the experiences of Black female academics to provide upward organizational feedback, help minimize attrition, and strengthen recruitment at Georgia State University (GSU). We employed Photovoice, a photo- and dialogue-based participatory action research methodology, to learn about the realities of being a Black female scholar at GSU. Concurrently, we strived to create a community for mentorship and camaraderie by creating a hospitable environment for participants to convene and express themselves creatively.
The participants met weekly to discuss their photos documenting their experiences as a starting point for dialogue, reflection, and problem-solving. Together, we developed recommendations for GSU’s leaders regarding opportunities for enhancing DEIB at the university.
(JIOA 2024.)

2 comments:

  1. Congratulations on this work. It sounds interesting and novel and I look forward to learning more about it

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  2. Congratulations, Birthe and Alexandria! This is a powerful example of how innovative methods like Photovoice can be leveraged by Ombuds to bring forward vital narratives that might otherwise remain unheard. Great work!

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