In July 2023, the FOODITY partner Centre for Social Innovation (ZSI) hosted an insightful PhotoVoice workshop in Vienna, Austria, where eight participants from diverse backgrounds delved into the intricate realm of food and nutrition data. Spanning ages 21 to 60 and representing a balanced mix of genders, the group offered a kaleidoscope of perspectives.
The workshop proved to be an eye-opener, with participants capturing compelling images that uncovered the potential and risks associated with data collection in the food and nutrition system. “I didn’t know what to expect, but it opened my eyes to new insights,” shared one participant, highlighting the profound impact of the experience. Another emphasised the freedom of the practical photography exercise, allowing them to explore the topic at their own pace. Varied approaches surfaced, from constant consideration of the mind map during the session to intentionally going food shopping for specific pictures.
Maria Schrammel and Ilse Marschalek, workshop organisers and moderators, reflected on their efforts and outcomes:
"Engaging in PhotoVoice workshops unveils a captivating and accessible avenue for citizens to be heard. Our experiences show that even intricate topics like food and nutrition data become clear and compelling through this lens. Let's turn complex dialogues into snapshots of understanding."
Six key themes that emerged from the discussions on the photos taken by the participants
1. Awareness and Education: Participants called for heightened awareness about the entire food value chain and stressed the need to question healthy and sustainable nutrition from childhood.
2. Knowledge Exchange: The distrust of labels like Nutri-score led to a plea for transparent and trustworthy product labelling covering the entire production chain. Accessible information in commonly frequented places was deemed crucial.
3. Health: Central to discussions was the importance of food diversity, affordable healthy options and the presentation of nutritious meals in an appetising manner. Defining what is healthy proved complex.
4. Self-determination/autonomy: Concerns surfaced regarding potential over-regulation and loss of personal responsibility through data analysis. Participants expressed a desire to retain personal autonomy and data security.
5. Data Collection Framework: Responsible and secure data collection emerged as a powerful tool, with participants stressing the need for clear data ownership and mechanisms for protection.
6. Networking and Cross-linking: The need to delineate clear lines between data sharing and personal privacy was emphasised, with a focus on individual choice and consent.
Vienna’s PhotoVoice workshop provided a platform for diverse voices to echo common themes. As we navigate the intricate web of food and nutrition data, the collective vision of our participants for an informed and empowered future is clear: heightened awareness, transparent knowledge exchange, emphasis on health, preservation of autonomy, responsible data collection, and the building of secure networks.
"In a time when algorithms and machine learning increasingly influence our decisions, these images raise important questions. Will the culture of the future be based on what algorithms can recognize and understand? Will they assist us in better understanding and preserving the cultures and traditions we live and cherish today?"
"Organizing a PhotoVoice workshop involves considerable effort in reaching out and finding interested individuals willing to participate. Nevertheless, it is both exciting and valuable to immerse oneself intensively in the subject with diverse participants for three days, leading to insightful results."
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 Maria Schrammel and Ilse Marschalek, who were the workshop organisers and moderators.
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