Aims

The main aim of this advanced training is to focus on the use of visual methods to mediate interactions and build understandings within social science research. We will focus on different types of visual prompts and the processes associated with them; how they can be used within data collection, analysis and presentation stages of the research process. We aim to raise the profile of visual methodology and build capacity across the social sciences in the effective use of this advancing field.

These aims will be achieved through a two day training event, which will involve contributions from a variety of researchers who use visual activities and methods, focusing explicitly on different aspects of data collection, ethics, synthesis, analysis and dissemination. These sessions will draw on diverse examples from presenters' research, locating the process of 'visually mediated encounters', and the data generated, within visual research methodology and social science epistemology. This training will provide jargon free exemplars of sufficient critical insight, both theoretical and practical, to engage and inspire participants from across the social sciences to adapt high quality visual methods to their particular research situation. There will be opportunities for participants to undertake practical application of the theory in workshop sessions using a variety of qualitative and quantitative based visual approaches to data generation, analysis and communication.