The Practice of Visual Ethnography: Examining Identity and Lived Experiences of Marginalised Communities

Mohan, Deepanshu; Saqib, Najam Us; Killemsetty, Namesh; Mohan, Hima Trisha

This book presents visual ethnography as a transformative approach to understanding, documenting, and representing the layered realities of marginalized communities and often-overlooked institutional contexts. It demonstrates how visual storytelling tools ranging from photography and video to infographics and spatial mapping can uncover the subtle social, cultural, and economic dynamics that traditional textual research tends to miss. Drawing on diverse case studies, the volume shows how visual narratives not only illuminate lived experiences but also foster collaboration and challenge dominant representations.

By highlighting its multidisciplinary reach, the book situates visual ethnography within the intersecting domains of urban studies, development research, and policy engagement. It also delves into the ethical and methodological dimensions of visual storytelling, underscoring its potential to bridge academic inquiry with public understanding and policymaking. Ultimately, this work advocates for visual ethnography as a vital instrument of inclusive research and transformative communication, one that amplifies marginalized voices, strengthens social connections, and inspires meaningful change in contemporary urban and social landscapes.

Readers will be drawn to its inventive methods, compelling findings, and thought-provoking themes, which together weave strong links between scholarship, advocacy, and on-ground practice.

Details

Published by: Palgrave Macmillan

Publication Date: 2026-02-22

Format: Hardcover

ISBN-13: 9789819546473

DOI:

Dimensions: 210.0cm x148.0cm

Pages: None