Engaging in Collaborative Visual Research Practice with Refugees to Promote Social Inclusion and Enhance Belonging in Non-metropolitan Australia

Abstract

Sharing refugee stories through visual research can be a powerful way to educate communities and promote social inclusion. This becomes even more effective when refugee participants are deeply involved in the process of their representation and feel a sense of ownership of the research products. In this chapter I discuss considerations around refugee representation and collaboration by examining two projects from non-metropolitan Australia. In these case studies, films and other visual products were co-created to inform locals, programme funders, and broader audiences about the lived experiences of diverse community members who had unique settlement stories. Telling these stories enhanced the participants’ sense of belonging and community connectedness and also challenged negative narratives about refugees that had been previously promoted by conservative governments and xenophobic community members. Audience interactions with these visual products demonstrated a greater sense of compassion and understanding of the newcomers, as well as a desire to welcome them and support them.