There are currently no open-access practical guidelines that consider the ethical implications of using Participatory Visual Methods (PVM) for community engagement in health and biomedical research in lower-middle and middle-income countries. The proposed online handbook will make an important contribution toward filling this specialized resource gap.

This book aimed to provide practical and ethical guidelines for practitioners working with participatory visual methods (PVM) to engage researchers, research participants, and wider communities in biomedical and public health research.

Other than a book, the two co-authors created an e-learning course that provides guidelines on the practice and ethics of participatory visual methods (PVM) with emphasis on their use in low and middle-income countries for community and public engagement in health and health science. It was produced as part of the Mesh Community Engagement Network learning and training resources. The course has been developed for use by engagement practitioners who are relatively new to the field of PVM and want to learn more about what they are and how to work with them. It is most fitting for those who already have some experience in facilitating participatory processes or in using qualitative research methods. The course also aims to support health science researchers who wish to include visual methods when engaging local communities and the wider public in their work.

Reach: As of September 2021, the online course had over 9000 visits and 1871 certificates of completion issued.