Governance on the big screen: How visual ethnography enhances governance research

Visual ethnography presents a valuable methodological approach for governance research because it offers unique contributions to the understanding of governance practices. This paper demonstrates that visual ethnography offers this by providing rich contextual data, fostering emotional openness, enhancing collaboration and adaptability, and engaging viewers in recollection, empathy, and reflection. Through an exploration of three key phases (visual fieldwork, data analysis and editing, and film screenings), this paper centers around a detailed case study on the ethnographic film Loose Ends about the COVID-19 pandemic in Dutch nursing homes. Results from this case study highlight the distinct contributions of visual ethnography in governance research. Visual ethnography not only deepens the research process but also increases the understanding of lived experiences within governance frameworks. By encouraging a more reflexive approach to decision-making, visual ethnography fosters an environment where the experiences of those affected by policies are acknowledged and valued, thereby extending the insights gained beyond the scope of traditional qualitative research methods.