Visual Methods Studio (MVS)
About their research
The Visual Methods Studio (VMS) is fruitfully connected to the Ethnography Lab in Milieux and offers a special space that explicitly bridges fine arts; social sciences; business; applied sciences, etc., because the focus is on the social and cultural work of images across disciplines. For the VMS, visual methods include ethical considerations; data collection (photographic fieldnotes); data analysis; representation of research (like a final exhibition/installation etc.); and mobilization of research. At each phase of investigation, it is possible to incorporate visual methods. The studio was conceived as a way to connect the dispersed approaches in various fields towards the use of visuals in research, that often overlap but are rarely looked at across disciplines. The VMS is dedicated to thinking, assessing and understanding the existing and expanding role of visuality in research. We hold that a stance of critical discernment concerning visual experience can be assessed through evaluation of how the researcher indicates their awareness that the visual is already cultural in their study. Unfortunately, this set of reflexive skills is rarely addressed through research methods courses, or even within projects. Engaging with Milne (2018) who states that: “critical evaluation of visual methods are rare and often limited to reflexive accounts of what researchers would, or should, do differently”, we ask:
- How does working with visuals and/or images actually demonstrate that we as researchers are not artificially melding seeing and knowing?
- How does the use of visual methods meaningfully enhance and complicate the methodologies in our projects?
- What questions require more than one methodology?
- What would such a multi-method approach bring into view?
Through a series of workshops, invited speakers and panel discussions we will address student curiosities and concerns around the uses of visual methods across disciplines.
Team
- Co-Directors: Dr. Carolina Cambre and Dr. Mitchell McLarnon
- Student Coordinator: Magdalena Hutter (Humanities)
Schedule
September 2024
Our first invited workshop presents a form finding technique used by architect and designer Dr. Kazmy Chi Muñoz.
Title: Design pedagogy
Date: September 24, 2024
A Form-finding strategy: Operative verbs and experimentation with controlled phenomena
October 2024
Our second invited workshop presents a talk and workshop by Dr. Laura Porterfield, of Rutgers University in the USA, Institute for the Study of Global Racial Justice.
Title: Exploring Visual Methods Across the Disciplines: An Introductory Workshop
Date: October 22, 2024
Presenter: Laura Krystal Porterfield, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Urban Education
Rutgers University-Newark, USA
This interactive virtual workshop will introduce participants to a variety of visual methods suitable for inter-and cross-disciplinary study. As an inherently porous field, visual studies, and the various methodologies taken up by it, are powerful mechanisms for asking sociological, anthropological, and artistic questions toward visualizing the human experience/condition. Together, we will explore various participatory methodologies such as visual ethnography, photovoice, mapping, collage/zine-making, film, and digital storytelling. Participants will be given the opportunity to create their own concept map, applying their learning in the workshop to their own projects/inquiries.
November 2024
Title: Drawing Ethnography
Date: November 19, 2024
Following the success of the first drawing ethnography workshop last year, we are organizing a second one, led by students and community members. Last year’s event was attended by over 20 participants.
Events proposed in the winter semester
Title: Ethics, criticality and reflexivity in participatory visual methods
Date: February 2025, day TBD
Presenter: Claudia Mitchell, PhD
Distinguished James McGill Professor, Faculty of Education
McGill University
Title: Working with the aesthetic in visual research
Date: March 2025, day TBD
Presenter: Boyd White, PhD
Associate Professor (retired), Faculty of Education
McGill University
Title: VMS workshop
Date: May 2025, day TBD