On Thursday, May 7th 2026, from 12pm to 1.30pm, the Centre for Critical Qualitative Health Research (CQ) is hosting a workshop* in collaboration with the Centre for Community Based Research (CCBR) and the Arts-Informed Methods team at Trillium Health Partners.
Date and Time: May 7, 2026 | 12pm to 1.30pm (EST)
Venue: (In-Person only) 246 Bloor St West, Toronto, ON M5S 1V4
Register Here!
*Please note that this workshop will be held in-person only. This workshop has a capacity of 25 participants. However, please register to be on the waitlist (select ‘Waitlist’ option) if there are no admission tickets left.
Please reach out to CQ at ccqhr@utoronto.ca for any queries.
About this workshop
This workshop will support you in conducting your own online photovoice, digital storytelling, or cellphilm project! Whether you’re experienced with participatory visual methods or brand new to the field and want to learn more about these exciting methods, we’re here to help. This workshop is open to students, faculty, and community partners, with priority given to graduate students.
This interactive CQ workshop will include a short presentation about participatory visual methods, and our research to date, before jumping into small group coaching conversations, hosted by experienced Participatory Visual Method researchers.
What are participatory visual methods?:
Participatory Visual Methods (PVM) invite participants (or co-researchers) to take photos or make videos to collaboratively identify, discuss, and analyze issues of importance. In particular, PVMs engage community members in the co-construction of knowledge and are well-suited to less hierarchical, more inclusive and equitable study designs. PVMs, carefully facilitated via workshops, are used for research, evaluation, and advocacy. They often take place in group settings, but not always. PVMs include – but are not limited to – photovoice, digital storytelling, cellphilming and more. Through encouraging creativity, connection, ownership and agency, these methods can support the co-creation of more democratic research cultures, empower community members and help build capacity for social action and system change.
This workshop is connected to a larger CIHR-funded study, entitled, “Adapting participatory visual methods to online and hybrid settings with diverse communities.” The study gathered experiences of health researchers conducting photovoice and digital storytelling projects online with diverse communities. To share findings from this study, the team created a suite of resources including a podcast, infographics, an introductory video, and coaching sessions with emerging and experienced researchers and non-profit organizations. Each podcast episode and infographic is packed with fresh ideas, practical tips, and ethical considerations to help you plan, create, and exhibit your arts-based projects. Learn more and access our resources here!
What is coaching?:
Coaching sessions are self-guided. This means you bring your questions, and we spend the time talking about them with you.
Whether you’re experienced with PVMs or are actively working with them in your research, or are new to the field, we welcome you, and your questions!
Roster of Coaches
Sarah Switzer is a Senior Researcher at the Centre for Community Based Research. Her research program explores how to meaningfully, equitably, and ethically engage people with lived experience in program design, research and policy change in health equity contexts (especially within the HIV and Harm Reduction sector). This includes a focus on participation, engagement, co-design, facilitation, and creative knowledge mobilization approaches across health and education. She is a participatory visual methods enthusiast, with experience in photovoice, cellphilming, digital storytelling, body-mapping, collage and more.
Liz Mansfield – Based at Trillium Health Partners’ Institute for Better Health, Liz is a qualitative researcher with expertise in participatory visual methods, including photovoice, digital storytelling, and collaborative filmmaking. Her work engages diverse communities across Peel Region. A key area of her methodological interest is examining the opportunities and challenges faced by community co‑researchers and co‑design teams when adapting participatory visual methods to online and hybrid settings. Her current research program focuses on the experiences and change recommendations of young adults and their family and friend carers as they navigate mental healthcare systems.
Kristina Fuentes-Aiello – Kristina is a qualitative researcher based at the Institute for Better Health at Trillium Health Partners, where she works on the Patient Experience Research Team. She has experience designing and facilitating photovoice initiatives, and has led participatory workshops with diverse groups, including youth and caregivers. Her methodological interests focus on photovoice approaches and participatory research design. Kristina’s research spans occupational health, reproductive health, and childhood disability, with a strong emphasis on centering lived experience to inform care and system improvement.
