My work is concerned with the collaborative production and strategic use of images for social change. Trained as a visual sociologist, I have over 20 years of experience as a researcher, practitioner and educator specializing in photovoice, participatory visual media and community arts.
I am a Research Associate in the Department of War Studies, Kings College London. My current research focuses on the role of the arts in post conflict reconciliation and peace-building. Since 2017 I have been working on the interdisciplinary research project Art & Reconciliation and I am PI of Izazov, a Changing the Story Phase 2 project. I was previously based at Photography and The Archive Centre, University of the Arts London and in the Centre for Urban and Community Research at Goldsmiths College. My ongoing research is concerned with participatory visual and arts based methods, photovoice, arts evaluation and community photography histories.
Co-Founder of PhotoVoice, I directed the organization during its first decade. I have worked, both internationally and in the UK, on over 40 participatory photography, digital media and photovoice projects as a trainer, consultant and advisor supporting partners working with participatory and strategic visual arts and media. I work with practitioners, NGOs and institutions to develop and deliver participatory visual projects, training and monitoring and evaluation. I am on the advisory board of Post Conflict Research Centre and Voice of Freedom.
I supervise and teach visual methods, participatory photography and photovoice at universities including Kings College, University of the Arts London and University of East Anglia and through practitioner workshops. Please do have a look at my Academia page for a full list of my published academic articles and practitioner resources.
I hold a PhD in Visual Sociology (Goldsmiths College), a post-graduate diploma in Community Arts (Goldsmiths College) and an MA in Social Anthropology (Edinburgh University). I lived in Latin America for 9 years and my work has been recognised with various awards including Best New Charity for PhotoVoice at The Charity Awards (2004) and the Royal Photographic Society’s Hood Medal for outstanding advance in photography for public service (2010).