Video and Voice in Participatory Research

Differing Approaches to using Video with Young People

There are six case studies in this section, each of which looks at different participatory projects.

Case study 1 – There is Always an Agenda - This project looked at the experiences and perceptions of recent migrants and ‘indigenous’ young people in Peterborough. This was carried out by a mixed team of community workers, community video makers and researchers.

Case study 2 – The Altruism of Young People - A highly experienced community based video worker discusses the possibilities and ethical issues involved in working with groups of ‘vulnerable’ young people.

Case study 3 – Conscious and Unconscious Voices - A therapist and community activist with relatively limited experience of the use of video discusses a project that explored the perspectives of group of young fathers about fatherhood, most of whom were involved in the criminal justice system.

Case study 4 – No Such Thing as ‘Power Free’ - A project with young women in Uganda in the area of HIV education carried out by a geography lecturer for whom this was her first use of video within a participatory research project.

Case study 5 – The Big Brother Diary Room - An established educational researcher reflects back on the use of a video diary room in his PhD research on the transitions young people go through in the education system.

Case study 6 – It can be Tearful - An experienced researcher with a background in sociology and anthropology discusses his collaboration with a professional film maker on a project working with young people in South Wales.