On 23 September 2023, the FOODITY partner F6S organised the Portugal hub PhotoVoice workshop in Coimbra. In addition to the main organiser and moderator, seven people (five women and two men) participated. Their average age was 38, the majority had at least a Master’s Degree, and all were exploring the PhotoVoice methodology for the first time.
Having introduced the FOODITY project and the workshop’s focus, several participants admitted limited prior reflection on the topic of personal data associated with food and nutrition or personal data in general. Therefore, the sharing of ideas and the discussion in general frequently addressed personal data more broadly. Furthermore, the participants showed significant interest in how the photovoice method would foster the discussion on a topic many had not previously considered.
"I was very curious about how the photovoice methodology would spark the discussion on a very relevant topic that many take very lightly. With a group that admitted to having reflected little on the subject to date, I was happy to see the participants fully engaged in the discussion. They left the event more conscious about how they can better manage their personal data. This shows that there is still a long road ahead in terms of generating awareness but that people are genuinely interested in being informed. As coordinator of the FOODITY project, this is a positive sign that the project can deliver in this regard."
The four key themes that emerged from participants’ photo reflections
With photo-taking being a core activity of the workshop, participants explored Coimbra and took pictures that captured their interpretation of the research questioned at the core of the activity. They shared their photos, identified several themes that represented their thoughts, and ranked their importance. Of the 10 themes identified, those they considered most important were ‘ethics’, ‘control and supervision’, ‘transparency’, and ‘individual responsibility’ — the first three being very much related to the management of personal data.
The ethics topic emerges from reflecting on the need for good principles when dealing with personal data. The collection, sharing and management of personal data may involve multiple people, entities and interests, and therefore, data management processes should be carried out ethically.
Somewhat linked to ethics are control and supervision. Considering the various actors involved in personal data management, it is important to retain control over data and have good supervision of how it is managed and regulated.
Lastly, individual responsibility puts the burden on individuals. People can claim a more ethical and transparent management of their personal data. Still, they are also responsible for making an informed and conscious decision about what data to make available and in what circumstances. Individuals often act fast rather than rationally, so, to the extent possible, it is their responsibility to be cautious about their behaviour regarding personal data.
In summary, the participants emphasised their satisfaction with the workshop and the opportunity to reflect on topics they normally did not think much about.
It was interesting to see that some of the discussions about data collection and use led to other, more society-related ones, specific to the context of Portugal. For example, it was discussed that many Portuguese people may neglect some of their rights or offer up their data freely at the cost of some financial bonus.
When asked to summarise in keywords their feelings about the workshop and what they would take home, ‘conviviality’, ‘awareness’, ‘enrichment’, ‘responsibility’, and ‘critical thinking’ stood out. Overall, these and other words are connected to gathering new information and raising awareness, which are the objectives of the FOODITY project.
"The workshop was a reality check experience as the perspectives shared by the participants challenged what I understood was the common understanding and concerns related to data privacy and related with nutrition and food options. Although it was a small sample, some participants never thought about the data being collected and how it is being used. From a moderator perspective, concerned with data privacy and how data is used, being faced with an audience that is either unaware of the data privacy issues or chooses to ignore them shows the importance of these types of projects. Either we need to invest more in public awareness or educate ourselves in what really matters to the general population."
"It was very enriching to participate in the PhotoVoice workshop. It was the first time I had the opportunity to combine photography with such an interesting topic as data protection. Not only was it a lot of fun, but it was also a great opportunity to learn and discuss different perspectives on this fascinating subject. Having a group with people from various areas was crucial for exploring these different points of view and reflecting on issues we might not have thought about yet. Combined with photography, all of this only made the experience much more interesting and interactive!"
The FOODITY PhotoVoice Workshops
At FOODITY, we are focused on finding solutions to create better food systems for people and the planet. We have held three workshops in Austria, Portugal and Bulgaria to gather the opinion of a diverse group of citizens on data privacy and sovereignty in food and nutrition. They have also allowed participants to learn how having better control of their personal data can lead to a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.
In particular, we used the PhotoVoice method created by Caroline Wang in 1992, aimed at empowering people to engage in community conversations and decisions. Through the power of photography, participants have been able to share their stories, concerns and desires.
This is just one of the ways in which we are making citizens part of the change towards better food systems.
This article is part of a series through which we are sharing the outcomes and insights of our three PhotoVoice workshops.
It has been written by Samuel Almeida, who was the workshop organiser.
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