Participatory video participants in Nawrath et al.’s (2021) work exploring the potential of urban greenspaces to contribute to people’s mental health in Kathmandu, Nepal. We obtained informed consent from all research participants to disseminate pictures.

By Maximilian Nawrath, Jessica C. Fisher, Ingrid Arotoma-Rojas, Zoe G Davies, Helen Elsey, Paul Cooke, Jayalaxshmi Mistry, and Martin Dallimer.

This Plain Language summary is published in advance of the paper discussed; check back soon for a link to the full paper.

Our world is facing critical environmental problems such as biodiversity loss and climate change. To solve these, environmental scientists need to think differently and use new ways to understand how people’s thoughts, knowledge, and actions affect these problems.

We have been using a method called participatory video to explore environmental issues in places like Nepal, Guyana, and Peru. Participatory video is a group-based activity involving films. Communities show and tell their own stories about environmental issues. This method goes beyond traditional interviews or group discussions, offering people a more independent and imaginative way to express their experiences and worries.

Creating films as a group deepens our understanding of environmental issues by blending various types of information—from visual and auditory to emotional. This method also gets people talking to each other, from local communities to scientists, opening new ways to see and solve these problems. Plus, it is a step towards making sure everyone’s voice is heard, especially those who have been left out or overlooked in the past. Using film this way can help break down barriers. It shows how different people see things differently, which is important for fairness and making changes that last. It can build trust, too, because everyone involved can see what’s happening and have a say in it.

Despite its benefits, participatory video faces challenges such as navigating power dynamics, ethical engagement, and expectation management. It is essential to ensure the safety and respect of all participants, particularly marginalised groups, and to address ethical issues regarding content ownership and use with clear communication and consent.

Nevertheless, participatory video can enrich environmental research. It not only enhances our understanding but also empowers communities, giving them a platform to share their perspectives. By sharing our experiences with participatory video, we hope to give environmental scientists more information on using this method if they wish to apply it in their own work.