The Visualities Research Group was established in January 2011 and is represented by academic and research staff, and a strong core of doctoral candidates in Geography, Politics and Sociology.
As a School-wide research grouping, Visualities brings together an interdisciplinary and dynamic range of research interests which focus on the theoretical, cultural, methodological, ethical and communicative significance of the visual dimensions of human societies. This eclectic and cross-disciplinary orientation creates an inclusive research environment which incorporates work undertaken in the global, national and regional contexts, as well as that which is situated within everyday settings and the quotidian.
Our research is broad in its scope and ambitions, and ranges from think-pieces which make use of visual media to critically interrogate social and political theory, to that which explores how visual technologies and surfaces are mobilised in the construction and negotiation of identities and lived experiences.
Our work is methodologically innovative and can be speculative both in terms of its enrichment of conventional research methods – ethnography; discourse analytic approaches; focus group and in-depth interviewing - and in the range of methods and data-generating techniques which are being developed – photo-elicitation; digital storytelling; creative design and exhibition; mobile methodologies; virtual methodologies; documentary film.
In addition, we are keen to advance methodological portfolios which promote engagement with non-academic researchers and audiences through different kinds of participatory/action research approaches. We aspire to produce cutting-edge research which not only makes a significant intellectual contribution and has utility for policy-makers and professional stakeholders, but which also nurtures knowledge transfer at the interface of the academy and a wide spectrum of user-communities.
Research themes within this research group include:
People working in this research group:
Dr Elaine Campbell (Convenor)
Dr Edmund Coleman-Fountain
Dr Martin Coward
Dr Matt Davies
Dr Lisa Garforth
Dr Kyle Grayson
Dr K Neil Jenkings
Dr Kate Manzo
Dr Janice McLaughlin
Dr Monica Moreno-Figueroa
Dr Simon Philpott
Dr Alison Williams
Professor Rachel Woodward
Nick Appleby
Daniel Bos
Ulpia Botezatu
Kate Botterill
Clare Fearon
Sobia Kaker
Jenny Lloyd
Mihai Macarie
Cary Monreal-Clark
Ann Murphy
Matt Rech
Benet Reid
Michael Richardson
Rebecca Richardson
Tarren Smarr
Joanne Swaffield
Alex Tan
Sophie Yarker