Visual methods in disaster recovery research: Cultural and ethical challenges in implementation

Abstract

While photographs have been used in popular culture for decades to capture the devastation of natural hazards, the use of visual methods as a tool to study these disasters is a less common practice. Engaging with literature on visual research methodologies and disaster recovery, this article explores the cultural and ethical challenges of using photo-elicitation to study long-term recovery efforts following the 2023 Maui fires. Drawing on interviews (n = 31), researcher-taken photos (n = 23), and supplemental data, including social media posts (n = 413), we explore the ways we adapted the photo-elicitation method to account for cultural differences between the researchers and participants and how we overcame implementation challenges in the field. The examples presented in this article highlight the importance of reflexivity and flexibility when implementing visual methodologies to study hazards, crises, and disasters.