An Introduction to Photo-Elicitation in Qualitative Educational Research – Western Sydney University School of Education

This workshop introduces photo-elicitation as a visual qualitative method, drawing on foundational work in the field (Harper, 2002) and on its use in educational and early childhood research. Photo-elicitation is a qualitative method in which participants select or produce photographs and use them as prompts during interviews.

The workshop draws on studies of early childhood education and educational leadership to explore how photo-elicitation can help researchers understand participants’ professional identities, roles, and experiences of complex or ambiguous work. Drawing on examples from current postgraduate research, the session will show how the method can be adapted to different research questions, participants, and research contexts.

The workshop is designed as a practical introduction to photo-elicitation. Participants will consider how to design a photo-elicitation interview, the possibilities and implications of using participant-generated or researcher-selected images, and how visual material can be analysed alongside participants’ verbal accounts. We will also discuss some of the ethical questions involved in working with photographs, including issues of representation, consent, privacy, and ownership.

The workshop is aimed at postgraduate students and early-career researchers interested in incorporating visual methods into qualitative educational researchers.