Visual and Embodied Methodologies for Social Science - online

Description:

This online course will introduce participants to visual and embodied methodologies (VEM) and how they can be used in social science research. VEM can increase understanding about the social world, enhance participation and collaboration through the arts-based or creative research process, and add meaning and value to the analysis and communication of research data.

By learning about VEM, participants will learn how these methods can be used to develop original research approaches, work with vulnerable and minoritised groups, and address key social science research challenges.

This modular course consists of one core module, Introduction to VEM, followed by a selection of optional modules on specific VEM methods. All participants will undertake the core module, on 13 October, and can then select from up to eight of the optional modules, held between 13 and 15 October, to customise their training according to their interests.

 

Introduction to VEM module

The core module will run between 09:00 and 11:00 on 13 October 2025. It covers:

• What are visual and embodied methodologies?
• How can VEM be used to understand and address social science research challenges?
• Differentiating between different forms of creative research collaborations and interventions.
• Key ethical issues when using VEM.
• How to manage research collaborations with artists and participants.
• Creative data analysis.

 

Optional modules

The ‘pick and mix’ modules on particular VEM methods are:

13 October 2025

• Photovoice - 12:00 - 14:00
• Body Mapping - 15:00 - 17:00

14 October 2025

• Digital Storytelling - 09:00 - 11:00
• Poetry - 12:00 - 14:00
• Policy - 15:00 - 17:00

15 October 2025

• Performance and participatory theatre - 09:00 - 11:00
• Zine-making and collage - 12:00 - 14:00
• Textiles, Banners and Sewing - 15:00 - 17:00

 

The course is charged as: one day for the core module plus up to two modules from the options above; two days for the core module plus up to five modules; and three days for the core module plus up to eight modules.

Please book the required number of days and you will be contacted to choose which modules you wish to attend.  Numbers will be limited to 12 participants on each module.

 

Learning outcomes

• By the end of the course participants will:
• Understand what VEM methods are and how they can be applied to social science research
• Assess the risks and opportunities of using VEM
• Be able to design an ethical VEM research methodology
• Have the tools to manage researcher-participant relations
• Understand and think critically about specific VEM methods, their applications, processes, advantages and limitations

 

 

Presenters / Speakers

The VEM Network, based at King’s College London, aims to create spaces of knowledge-exchange and research excellence around visual, embodied and art-based methodologies within, across and beyond social sciences. The course will be delivered by two members of the VEM Collective:

Tiffany Fairey is Senior Research Fellow at in the Department of War Studies, King’s College London. Her research interests include peacebuilding, conflict transformation, reconciliation and the relationship between photography and peace. In particular, she is interested in visual, arts-based and participatory peacebuilding methods that work with communities affected by mass violence and conflict. Co-founder and former director of the award-winning charity PhotoVoice, Tiffany is an expert in photovoice and participatory photography methods. She is Photovoice Associate at Everyday Peace Indicators and on the advisory board of the Post Conflict Research Centre. She has been published widely and her books include ‘Peace Photography: A Guide’ (2025) and the forthcoming ‘Imaging Peace’ (Edinburgh University Press 2025). Her photovoice work has been recognised with various awards including the Royal Photographic Society’s Hood Medal for outstanding advance in photography for public service.

Phoebe Martin is Research Associate on the Visual and Embodied Methodologies for Addressing Gender Based Violence project at King's College London. Her research looks broadly at the intersections of art and feminist activism. She is interested in how feminist activists in Peru use creative interventions around gender violence and reproductive justice. These actions, including art, performance, and audiovisual media create new spaces for social and cultural change in difficult political contexts. Beyond this, her research has looked at the intersections of art and feminist activism, particularly reproductive rights activism.

 

Cost:

The fee per teaching day is: £60 per day for students registered at University, £150 per day for staff at academic institutions, Research Councils researchers, public sector staff and staff at registered charity organisations and recognised research institutions and £350 per day for all other participants.

In the event of cancellation by the delegate a full refund of the course fee is available up to two weeks prior to the course. NO refunds are available after this date.

If it is no longer possible to run a course due to circumstances beyond its control, NCRM reserves the right to cancel the course at its sole discretion at any time prior to the event. In this event every effort will be made to reschedule the course. If this is not possible or the new date is inconvenient a full refund of the course fee will be given. NCRM shall not be liable for any costs, losses or expenses that may be incurred as a result of its cancellation of a course, including but not limited to any travel or accommodation costs.

The University of Southampton’s Online Store T&Cs also continue to apply.

Website and registration:

Register for this course

Region:

South East

Keywords:

Frameworks for Research and Research Designs, Participatory Research, Visual Methods, Arts-based methods, Interdisciplinary research, Quality in Qualitative Research, Creative methods

Related publications and presentations from our eprints archive:

Frameworks for Research and Research Designs
Participatory Research
Visual Methods
Arts-based methods

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