Exploring young adults' faith lives through video diaries: consent, voice and power

Utilising visual approaches in research has become ever more popular in recent years, especially within sociology.1 Despite their muted presence within the sociology of religion2 some are incorporating visual methods, especially projects involving young people.3 Adopting apparatus such as cameras and video technology can enable research to become more participant-led, generating new perspectives from which to understand social life. Such collaborative endeavours complement feminist approaches to data collection where hierarchies between researcher and researched are challenged.4 But critical reflection is necessary to interrogate how far this is achievable, or whether new vulnerabilities and hierarchies emerge. This chapter will critically assess these issues, using a feminist lens. First, I will consider the background literature in relation to feminist approaches to research and visual methods more generally. Then I will reflect on three issues: consent, voice and power/hierarchy. I conclude by reflecting on the implications of using this method when researching the faith lives of women and girls.