This paper reports on a photovoice process conducted in an informal settlement in southern Malawi, in a study that explored the use of solid fuels and household air pollution. Drawing on principles of double hermeneutics and reflexivity, we present both participants’ perspectives, gathered through a focus group with nine photovoice participants conducted at the end of the study, and the research team’s reflections, to offer methodological insights for conducting ethical, inclusive photovoice research in informal settlements. Participants reflected that they gained valuable knowledge, built community connections, and developed new skills while contributing meaningfully to research. They also reported challenges in participating in photovoice, including community suspicions of research motives, managing community expectations, and navigating issues arising from taking photographs in the community. Through this iterative dialogue between researchers’ reflexivity and participants’ reflections, we identify nine key lessons for the conduct of photovoice: building close researcher-participant relationships; clarifying roles and expectations early; providing comprehensive training; maintaining manageable participant numbers; ensuring meaningful and interactive dissemination; addressing ethical issues adaptively; considering sociocultural contexts; systematically seeking participants’ feedback; and maintaining reflexivity throughout. This methodological paper addresses critical gaps in photovoice literature by critically examining the challenges and advantages of conducting photovoice in sub-Saharan African informal settlements, where few studies have done so. We provide practical guidance for researchers wishing to undertake photovoice in similar contexts, whether in Africa or elsewhere.
Chasima et al. (Mon,) studied this question.