four note friday 1.3 | (some of) My Photovoice Work

This week’s notes are especially close to my heart. Each one is a publication that grew out of my dissertation work. Together, they tell a series of stories about photovoice (methodology) and how community college students construct their educational lives (topic).

I did not publish my dissertation upon completing it (on purpose) because I wanted to present the work in a series of journal articles. Upon moving into a tenure-track faculty position after graduation, that was simply part of the job, and I wanted to do a good job.

Through blending photovoice with constructivist grounded theory, I planned to meet the aims of the photovoice methodology and generate theory based on the data and my analytical work with it. Three of the four grounded theories were translated into journal articles. (One died on the vine, unfortunately.) And the methods chapter of my dissertation provided the foundation for my photovoice book. These four pieces are overviewed below.

After having a lovely and inspiring conversation with a doctoral student at another university the week before last, I started reflecting back on my own dissertation journey (he asked questions about it) and wanted to share its products.

Here are those four pieces, complete with links in case you'd like to read further.

📄 Understanding the Educational Lives of Community College Students: A Photovoice Project, a Bourdieusian Interpretation, and Habitus Dissonance Spark Theory (2012)

Publication type: journal article
Link: https://cie.asu.edu/ojs/index.php/cieatasu/article/view/836

This was the first piece I published from the dissertation (one of four constructivist grounded theories). The theory I wrote about there was called habitus dissonance spark theory. Simply put, participants/students enrolled in the community college when they felt a deep discomfort with their current level of social agency—whether that meant wanting better jobs, access to more choices, or greater opportunities for their families. Through a Bourdieusian lens (thank you sociology undergraduate major), I interpreted these sparks as catalysts for role accumulation, with students taking on the role of college student to expand their habitus and move toward a freer life. The pieces gives a powerful look at how community college can serve as a springboard for transformation.

📄 Toward a New Conceptualization of Photovoice: Blending the Photographic as Method and Self-Reflection (2012)

Publication type: Journal article
Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/23796529.2012.11674700

Next up is a theoretical (theory two of four) piece based on a methodological finding. Throughout the dissertation, I found myself rethinking one of photovoice’s core goals—building critical consciousness. While those who use photovoice often assume participants will develop a sharper critique of social systems through the process, that wasn’t exactly what (or all) I observed. Instead, students engaged deeply in reflective processes, examining their own lives. This led me to propose a new way of framing photovoice: two distinct branches, one focused on cultivating critical consciousness (often focused on communities) and another centered on fostering reflective consciousness (often focused on individuals).

📄 Understanding Community College Student Persistence Through Photovoice: An Emergent Model (2015)

Publication type: Journal article
Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.2190/CS.16.4.b

In this piece, I introduce another constructivist grounded theory (three of four): the Emergent Model of Community College Student Persistence. While community colleges were/are (the pendulum swings) under increasing pressure to produce more graduates, they continue to grapple with high attrition and low completion rates. The model offered a new look at an old model (Tinto's) and the factors shaping persistence decisions—illuminating not just institutional barriers but also the personal motivations and life contexts that influence whether students stay or leave. Notably, I argue that social integration must be grounded in academics/academic integration to be effective within the community college setting. Put differently, most of the participants/students with whom I engaged were not in college to make friends. Many students are coming into the space with full social lives comprised of family networks, workplaces, and various community involvements. Yet being social within academic spheres and in service of learning and/or career advancement, like study groups, was seen as beneficial.

📖 Photovoice Research in Education and Beyond: A Practical Guide from Theory to Exhibition (2017)

Publication type: Book
Link: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781315724089/photovoice-research-education-beyond-amanda-latz

This book does what the title says it will do. It provides a guidepost for those working with the photovoice methodology. My methods chapter provided a solid foundation on which I built out the book manuscript. Drawing from both the broader literature and my own experience, I break the process into eight clear steps, which I would now tinker with and reframe as gerunds (okay, second edition, yes, I know): identification, invitation, education, documentation, narration, ideation, presentation, and confirmation. I cover the history and theory of the methodology, ethical considerations, data analysis, and the often-overlooked role of exhibitions as sites of extended inquiry. I also address how evolving photography (and other) technologies shape decision-making at every stage. Built as a practical, compassionate resource, this is—at least I am pretty sure—the first text dedicated entirely to photovoice from theory to exhibition. It was created to support educators, students, and researchers in bringing this powerful and complex approach to life.

💬 If you’ve read any of these or use similar research in your own work, I’d love to hear your thoughts—just hit reply.

🥹 Thanks for spending a moment with me this Friday.
💌 If you’re new here, welcome! I hope this space becomes one you look forward to each week.

📬 Have a question you want me to answer in a future issue? Reach me at photovoicefieldnotes@gmail.com. I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for being here.

Warmly,
Mandy
photovoice field notes
photovoicefieldnotes.com