Photovoice Toolkit for Global Health Research

Background

Behind every statistic is a story. While traditional research captures numbers, Photovoice reveals the lived realities behind those numbers, stories of resilience, struggle, and hope. Especially in vulnerable communities, photography becomes a powerful tool to document and communicate experiences that words often fail to express.

Photovoice shifts the research paradigm: from data collection to dialogue, from observation to empowerment. It gives voice to those too often unheard and helps drive real-world change.

About the Toolkit

This toolkit is a collaborative achievement of the RESPIRE community and offers:

• Step-by-step guidance from planning to dissemination.
• Adaptations for low-resource settings, including photo-training tips, ethical considerations, and data protection.
• Real-world examples and case studies from partner sites.
• Tools for advocacy and policy engagement through visual storytelling.
• Patient and public involvement & engagement (PPI/E) embedded throughout to ensure relevance and ownership.

This is more than a guide; it’s a call to reimagine how research can amplify voices and drive action.