Decolonizing research: recommendations from a migrant home photovoice study

Abstract

Psychology is wrestling with its colonial contributions, whether through historically justifying eugenics or currently excluding those in the Global South. The postcolonial migration of billions of people from origin spaces to (often) hostile host-spaces merits psychological attention. This article outlines a remote, photovoice, study of 28 asylum seekers’ good and bad experiences within UK spaces (e.g. designated immigrant housing). A multi-modal thematic analysis of 108 participant-created photographs and 83 captions was conducted. The themes added to existing evidence showing some migrants’ hostile housing can have pernicious impacts. These results and previous research are next used to practically demonstrate recommendations for sensitively researching Global Southern participant experiences. This includes 1) co-design; 2) non-talking methods and 3) contextualizing experiences. For example, meaningfully compensating and consulting participants can help rebalance power differences between researchers and participants. Utilizing non-talking based methods (e.g. photovoice) reduces the necessity of native English requirements whilst enabling ‘space’ and ‘place’ to feature in the analysis. Likewise, contextualizing Global Southern experiences can improve psychology’s application (e.g. culturally competent and trauma informed, counselling, research and other practices). Within a wider movement, these methodological steps can continue psychology’s ongoing decolonization.