Photovoice and Instagram as Strategies for Youth Engagement in Disaster Risk Reduction

Qual Health Res. 2022 Oct;32(12):1897-1906. doi: 10.1177/10497323221116462. Epub 2022 Aug 6.

Abstract

Community involvement is essential for an all-of-society approach to disaster risk reduction. This requires innovative consultation methods, particularly with youth and during pandemic restrictions. This article outlines methods used for a Photovoice project where we brought together student co-researchers from multiple levels (high school, undergraduate, and graduate health sciences) to explore the topic of youth engagement in disaster risk reduction. Over a two-year period, our team used Photovoice as an arts-based participatory method to collaborate with members of our EnRiCH Youth Research Team. We adapted the protocol to continue our project during the COVID-19 pandemic and presented our work in a Photovoice exhibition using Instagram. This article was written from the perspectives of high school and university students on the project. Our hybrid Photovoice protocol facilitated participation through the pandemic, including a virtual presentation at an international conference and online consultation with the Canadian Red Cross.

Keywords: community-based participatory action research; empowerment; knowledge mobilization; photovoice; qualitative research methods; youth as co-researchers; youth engagement; youth participation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Canada
  • Community-Based Participatory Research / methods
  • Disasters*
  • Humans
  • Pandemics / prevention & control
  • Photography
  • Risk Reduction Behavior