CFP Qualitative Analysis Conference

The 33^rd Annual Qualitative Analysis Conference: 

Visual Research Methods and Visual Ethnographies

 

Brock University, St Catharines, Ontario: May 11-13 2016

Abstract submission deadline: December 15, 2015

 

Visual research methods and visual ethnographies have burgeoned over the past decade. As leading visual researcher Gillian Rose recently put it: “One of the most striking developments across the social sciences in the past decade has been the growth of research methods using visual materials” (Rose, 2014, p. 24). This attention to visuals can be seen in the steady rise of conferences, scholarly associations, publications, special issues of journals, and Handbooks on visual research methods (e.g. McAllister, 2011; Rose, 2011; Pink, 2007, 2012; Mitchell, 2011; Margolis & Pauwels, 2011; Tinkler, 2012).

 

The fields of visual methods and visual ethnographies are incredibly wide and can include many forms of visual methods, and visual materials, and a diverse array of methodological, epistemological, and ontological approaches. Visual materials can include, for example, photographs, films, artifacts, collages, visual diaries, web based media, maps, diagrams, graphic novels. Some well-known visual methods are: participatory video, photo voice, photo elicitation, video walks, as well as research participants drawing, mapping, and co-producing visual depictions of everyday lives. Visual material can be generated by the researcher, by research participants, or both in collaboration; and visuals can be found, elicited, made, or be a combination of all of these depending on one’s epistemological and ontological moorings.  Visual methods can be used as all stages of the research processes from fieldwork to the sharing of research outputs through visual medium.

 

This year’s 33rd Qualitative Analysis Conference focuses on exploring, sharing, and critically reflecting on visual research methods and visual ethnographies. We encourage contributions from the social sciences and the humanities as well as interventions from artists, filmmakers, and artist-researchers. Submissions are invited on (but not limited to) the following themes:

 

·       Visual methods and fieldwork

·       Visual ethnographies

·       Visual methods and sensory methods

·       Visuals and data analysis

·       Visual and meaning making

·       Epistemological and ontological issues in visual research 

·       Participatory research and visual research

·       Visual research methods and social justice

·       Photo elicitation

·       Participatory video

·       Visual research and documentary film making

·       Visual research methods and affect

·       Visual research methods and research relationships

·       Teaching visual research methods

·       Visual research and ethical issues

 

While this year’s theme highlights visual research methods and visual ethnographies, we encourage submissions from people conducting qualitative research and interpretive analysis more generally. Submissions from novice and experienced researchers are welcomed. We are keen to include graduate students as presenters and as participants. There will be more announcements regarding Keynote and Featured speakers, and special sessions to follow.

 

Abstracts can be submitted online atwww.qualitatives.ca/submit-abstract. If you have anyquestions, please contact us at thequalitatives@gmail.com.

 

Andrea Doucet, Brock University

Lisa-Jo van den Scott, Brock University

Nancy Cook, Brock University

Jennifer Rowsell, Brock University

Deana Simonetto, McMaster University