Research
Communication:
During 2020 I worked with my participants to produce a Special Issue and Virtual Exhibition
Research Communication:
Co-Writing and
Inclusive Publishing
Between 2020- 2021 I worked with a team of refugees, photographer and Living Refugee Archives on a Photo Voices in Kuala Lumpur project. Ultimately, due to COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns in Malaysia, we changed this from a Photovoice to a co-written Special Issue: In their Own Voices with the Journal of Displaced Voices. This special issue is a collection of papers written by and with refugee women based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The photography elements we were chosen by participants where possible to find ways to represent spaces, actions or portraits of refugees in ways that worked against the victimhood narratives.
Click the image to see the LRA's website
Drawing on PAR values, I co-wrote with my participants and taught them academic skills to help them articulate their own experiences. As a team, we worked together to explore the best way to utilise the Living Refugee Archives as a supportive platform for the voices of the refugee participants.
This [special issue has been] a journey of storytelling through which an alternative archive for marginalised narratives can be created. Through community participation we open the door to challenge traditional notions of archival structures and documentation, hoping to constitute a living history of refugeehood.
Paul Dudman, Living Archives Built with Communities
Click the image to read the Special Issue
Research Communication:
Supporting Voices, Narratives and Creativities
Amin Kamrani
20/20 Virtual Gallery
Click the image to read the Special Issue
Together with the Living Refugee Archives, I worked with Amin Kamrani to host his 20/20 virtual exhibition last year. I had previously worked with Amin as a translator in my research project in 2018.
This exhibition is an intimate portrayal of life, people and landscapes. 20 copies of 20 photographs. The Living Refugee Archive is hosting the virtual exhibition with an option to buy the limited edition prints. The photos are on sale with 60% of the proceeds to go to refugee and vulnerable communities in Malaysia.
The 20/20 limited-edition photo print project began in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Malaysia.
Working on this project to host the gallery and organise the webshop, was an important part of how I view my role as a researcher. Researchers and activists cannot give a voice. But we can act to provide space for and support new voices, narratives and creativities. Amin's work highlights what it means to be a migrant, living and working across borders, in both contexts of plenty and of lack. Without ever victimising the people in his photos, placing a simple focus on their lived realities, hopes and dreams.
 Mediterranean Sunset_ |  New moon |  The road and fog |
|---|---|---|
 The path |  Copy of I watched the rain all evening |  Bird anthem |
 Blue in Green |  858114_90c36740d32e4880b4c9b96e5760b52f~ |  in absence of the sun - photo credit Ami |
 Screenshot 2021-01-28 163405 |  Blue Antalya |  Beyond the seas |
