Photovoice

Photovoice is the combination of photography, reflection, and writing that has been shown to enable people to deeply reflect and record their environmental quality and public health concerns. Through the youth/adult trainings, participants will be asked to document environmental health in their community, then, as a group, we will discuss the images, and translate the community’s observations into a set of findings and recommended actions.

Photovoice is an important part of the STEAM in Action trainings because it can aid in identifying the environmental health concerns and courses of intervention and action as perceived by community members. As part of our STEAM in Action program, we hope to build a “STEAM Photovoice in Action” traveling exhibition to share your photographs and narratives with other stakeholders and decision-makers. We anticipate that this participant-led activity in your community will build capacity, efficacy, and new forms of environmental health and justice knowledge.

Lastly, this visual research methodology is intended to foster social change and has led to public health benefits and increased individual empowerment in other communities and projects. These visual and written reflections can have an impact on policy by promoting a critical dialogue, which then can serve as the springboard for action. Photovoice is a proven method to provide an improved understanding of community needs and assets, enhance community engagement, and promote action and advocacy around community health needs.