Participation Work

Kate Watson trainer consultant participatory photography photovoice

I work with practitioners, NGOs and institutions to develop and deliver participatory visual projects, training and monitoring and evaluation alongside supporting NGOs to communicate their stories powerfully and ethically.

Participatory Methods – Project Delivery, Training and Consultancy

Ethical Communications – Training and Consultancy

.https://katewatson.org/participatory-methods-project-delivery-training-and-consultancy

I have extensive experience as a participatory practitioner and for the past 12 years, and have worked across the UK and internationally to design, manage and facilitate a portfolio of participatory photography and visual communications and advocacy programmes with under-represented communities, supporting partner organisations working with participatory and strategic visual arts and media within the academic and non-profit sector, including Frontline Aids, Amnesty International, Christian Aid, the Wellcome Trust, British Red Cross, NSPCC and Impact on Urban Health

From 2015 – 2022, I worked as Senior Projects Manager at PhotoVoice developing and delivering participatory photography and storytelling programmes with issue-affected communities internationally

As part of WEISS programme, Kate delivered a smashing training for us on the use of participatory photography and visual research methodologies, sparking our researchers’ imaginations and enabling them to use photography and imagery as part of their engagement practice. The session was informative, interesting and inspiring, covering key topics including strategies for authentic representations (in healthcare), photo-elicitation, visual ethics and informed consent. Thanks so much.

Simon Watts

Public Engagement Manager UCL

In 2023 we ran a project at JRF in coalition with the stigma, power and poverty design team to create a set of representative images for the new JRF website that prioritised communities/people affected by the injustice of poverty in the UK today. As part of the project, we developed a set of visual ethical principles which brought an ‘anti-stigma’ lens to the whole project. We reached out to Kate to provide support in ethical storytelling due to her extensive experience in giving ethical guidance, and practically applying it to projects. Kate shaped the support around our project needs, placing a particular focus on the informed consent process – It was such a collaborative and enjoyable process full of insights and learnings

Ryan Heeley

Content Producer – Joseph Rowntree Foundation

I worked with Kate from March 2018 till December 2020 in the framework of a multi millions EURO advocacy programme, PITCH, aimed at defending and promoting the rights of people affected by HIV/AIDS.

Kate was responsible for the design and implementation of a 3 year participatory photo advocacy project in Uganda, Nigeria and Myanmar.

She trained and supported advocates across 27 local organisations to develop their photo advocacy abilities and extremely good quality materials that have been used for years to advance their political agenda and their image alike. She managed the project and facilitated the production of material in country and remotely, with diligence and resilience.

Kate is easy going and easy to work with. She listens and hears the difficulties all stakeholders might face and has a very solid solution focused approach to try and meet deadlines and agreed outcomes, without compromising on participatory approach, ethics or quality. She takes pride in her and everybody else work. It has been amazing

Julie Bridger

PITCH Country Coordinator +
Photovoice Project Manager for Frontline AIDS
(March 2018-March 2021)

Kate worked with us at Photoworks to develop and deliver a programme of activity with neurodivergent adults and a number of adult social care partners. The programme aimed to engage participants with creative photography activities and to introduce support workers to a range of ideas and strategies for incorporating photography into their daily care work.

Kate developed a fundamentally inclusive and accessible approach that considered ethics of care and representation throughout and was underpinned by principles of co production. Kate’s sensitive and responsive approach to creative engagement has been key to the success of this project

Juliette Buss

Learning & Engagement Consultant |
Photoworks

SELECTED PROJECTS:

BRACED Building Resilience and Adaption to Climate Extremes and Disasters | Christian Aid

Hidden Costs | Kanlungan Alliance of Filipino Organisations

PITCH | Frontline Aids

Care Leavers in Focus | National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS), The Care Leavers Association, Catch 22, Drive Forward Foundation

Introduction to Photographic Storytelling

Description: ‘Introduction to Photographic Storytelling’ is a fun and interactive webinar which offers some basic tips and tricks in photography and opportunities to discuss experiences in the current climate and learn about photographic storytelling. The only equipment necessary is a smart phone and access to Zoom. This course is open to care leavers aged 18+ who haven’t engaged with PhotoVoice on a previous course.

PhotoVoice’s engagement with vulnerable or at-risk groups is governed by our Safeguarding policies and procedures, which can be made available to any organisation nominating participants for online engagement with PhotoVoice. Please see below an outline of some considerations for organisation’s nominating participants:

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