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Empowering Methods? Critiquing Participatory Visual and Arts Based Methods with Migrant Sex Worker and Migrant Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI) Communities

Tuesday, 12 July 2016: 16:00-17:30
Location: Hörsaal 13 (Juridicum)
WG03 Visual Sociology (host committee)

Language: English

In recent years there have been an increasing number of visual, arts-based and participatory research projects with migrant sex worker and migrant LGBTQI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer and Intersex) communities, for example Miller’s Queer is in the Eye of the Newcomer and Vearey and Oliveira’s MoVE [migration:visual:explore] and Market Photo Workshop. It has been argued that these methods can be used to solicit unique artistic expression, while empowering participants in the process. In addition, these methods are increasingly seen as an effective tool to explore often silenced and “neglected narratives” (Valentine, 2008; Miller, 2011). 
The aim of this session is to critically interrogate these assumptions and discuss the relevance of using such methods with migrant sex worker and migrant LGBTQI communities. Papers submitted are invited to think critically about the use of these methods, for example: 

  • How do the insights offered by these methods differ vis a vis more traditional methods? 
  • What are the ethical considerations to be considered?
  • How do these methods play out in contexts where “the researched” might have irregular status or their actions are considered illegal by the state?
  • What, if any, new forms of art and aesthetics emerge? 

Panelists are encouraged to use visual materials to complement the written part of their paper.

Session Organizer:
Elisabeth-Jane MILNE, Coventry University, United Kingdom
Discussant:
Joanna WHEELER, Sustainable Livelihoods Foundation, South Africa
Posters:
Liminal Landscapes: Exhibiting Sexual-Religious (Dis)Identification
Yvette TAYLOR, University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom
Exploring Poetry as Visual, Arts-Based, and Participatory Research Practice in the City of Gold: Experiences from Johannesburg, South Africa
LeConte DILL, SUNY Downstate School of Public Health, USA; Jo VEAREY, University of the Witwatersrand, African Centre for Migration & Society, South Africa; Elsa OLIVEIRA, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa; Khosi XABA, University of the Witwatersrand, Centre for Health Policy, South Africa
See more of: WG03 Visual Sociology
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