The participation of vulnerable children in photographic research

This article explores the efficacy of using photographic participatory research methods among vulnerable groups, specifically vulnerable children and young people. Innovative methods, such as visual participatory techniques can help children who might otherwise be left out of research studies that could have important consequences for their lives, and the lives of their families. The reason for their omission from such studies lies precisely in their vulnerability - their lives are often difficult and painful and, in empirical terms, these children are hard to reach and often do not have the necessary verbal skills and confidence to take part in conventional qualitative methods that use, for example, interview techniques. Drawing on photographic research evidence from children and young people themselves, this article explores the ways in which the participation of children in visual research studies can help to transform children's life experiences.