Visual Methods in Migration

Visual methodology consists of an array of different practices such as collecting, producing, recording, performing and analysing images, drawings, art pieces, films and videos. In addition, several methodologies in migration research (such as walking methodologies) use the visual sense, the act of seeing, in ways that are often not recognised as visual methodologies. Recently AI-driven production of visual images based on textual prompts adds new complexity in the field of visual methods. 

Across all these modalities, the challenge of analysing visual data including visual sense data is often under-considered.   Visual data is interconnected with textual data, but it is separate from it. This event focused on how methods that use visual and visual sense data are understood, reproduced and used by scholars who work in the field of migration studies.  This event  focused on the importance and usefulness of building on current literature on the visual component of methods in migration. There is a dearth of discussion on how migration studies can benefit from new knowledge in relation to analysis of art works, pictures, films and theatre and methodologies which utilise visual data as a specific technique to investigate migration aspects.  We add a further innovation of considering data gathered through the visual sense in methods such as walking methodologies and multi-site mobility. In analysis and writing, textual representations often take precedence, with visual data being relegated to a supporting role. This workshop considered the visual and visual sense data in its own right.

Keynote

Prof. Umut Erel (The Open University, UK) Research as Dissident Citizenship

This talk develops a framework for engaged research as an enactment of dissident citizenship. At the current conjuncture marked by proliferating anti‑citizenship practices, it argues that research can operate as a transformative political practice through which marginalised groups collectively articulate needs, generate subjugated knowledges, and rehearse the “right to have rights.”  The talk draws on participatory arts‑based and action research conducted with migrant mothers affected by the UK’s No Recourse to Public Funds policy, to develop the DISSIDENT framework - a set of principles for creating dialogic, intercorporeal, prefigurative, and counterpublic research relations. Through analysis of participatory theatre, walking methods, and engagements with practitioners, activists, and policy actors, the talk shows how research can disrupt epistemic violence, challenge hierarchical knowledge relations, and cultivate solidarities across differences in status and rights, arguing that participatory, artsbased methods are particularly apt to do this through embodied and creative practices of knowledge production.

Workshop Presentations and Discussion

Dr Chiara Giuliani (University College Cork) Comics and graphic novels to explore Italian and Irish multicultural societies

Dr Pooya Ghoddousi (UCC) Visual Analysis of Transnational Iranian Assemblages in London

Dr Sarah Robinson (UCC) Migration and social identity dialogues through Cork’s Street Art 

Bio:  Prof Umut Erel   

Prof Erel’s research employs an intersectional approach and explores how gender, migration and ethnicity inform practices of citizenship.  Her current research focuses on migrant families and citizenship.  She was PI on an ESRC funded research grant on ‘Participatory Arts and Social Action Research (PASAR): Participatory Theatre and Walking Methods' Potential for Co-producing knowledge’ (January 2016 - December 2017) http://fass.open.ac.uk/research/projects/pasar . Prof Erel was director of the Research Centre for Global Challenges and Social Justice (2021-24), led the Justice, Borders, Rights stream of Citizenship and Governance SRA (2018-2020), before this having co-directed the Research Programme Migration and Belongings, Centre for Citizenship, Identities and Governance. Dr Erel co-led the OU's contribution to a collaboration between academics, arts and activists on the Who Are We? Project, exploring issues of belonging, participation, citizenship and migration through an annual 6-day multi-platform event at the Tate Exchange project (https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/tate-exchange/workshop/who-are-we-2019 and whoareweproject.com).