Reimagining Photovoice: Leveraging AI for Inclusive and Equitable Engagement in Refugee Research

Authors

• Areej Al-Hamad, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaFollow
• Kateryna Metersky, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaFollow
• Yasin M. Yasin, University of New Brunswick, New Brunswick, CanadaFollow
• Victoria Hayrabedian, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaFollow
• Rezwana Rahman, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaFollow

Abstract

This methodology paper reimagines photovoice, a visual research method, by integrating artificial intelligence (AI), thereby expanding methodological options for both researchers and participants to foster more inclusive and equitable engagement in refugee research. Using AI-generated images, metaphors, and photocollage, displaced Ukrainian women in Canada co-created symbolic visuals to express complex emotions and experiences that may be difficult to capture through traditional photography. This approach addresses limitations of conventional photovoice by reducing technological and linguistic barriers, enhancing emotional expression, and supporting diverse representations of displacement and resettlement. Rather than replacing existing methods, this AI-assisted approach expands the methodological options available to researchers and participants, particularly in contexts where privacy concerns pose challenges. The paper demonstrates how creative technologies can deepen participant engagement and enrich refugee narratives. Ultimately, the proposed method shows how incorporating AI into photovoice can be used to engage refugee communities and support inclusive, impactful research in refugee studies.

Keywords

photovoice, artificial intelligence, inclusive refugee research, art-based research

Author Bio(s)

Dr. Areej Al-Hamad, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Areej Al-Hamad is an assistant professor at Toronto Metropolitan University. She is currently engaging in several interdisciplinary and international research projects including a scoping review around nurse-led research, a phenomenology study to explore the lived experiences of radiologists using home based picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) during COVID-19, and a mixed methods study to explore the perceptions of Qatari medical students toward pursuing family medicine as a future career path. Please direct correspondence to areej.hamad@torontomu.ca

Dr. Kateryna Metersky, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Kateryna Metersky is an associate professor at the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing and interim director of the School of Occupational and Public Health. Dr. Metersky continues to maintain her nursing practice in general internal medicine at Toronto Western Hospital. She is currently the Toronto co-city lead for the Inclusive Communities for Older Immigrants project. Please direct correspondence to kateryna.metersky@torontomu.ca

Dr. Yasin M. Yasin, University of New Brunswick, New Brunswick, Canada. Dr. Yasin Yasin is an Assistant Professor of Nursing in the University of New Brunswick. He earned a Ph.D. in Nursing from University of Western Ontario, complemented by an M.B.A. from Laurentian University, and both a Master's and Bachelor's degree in Nursing from the Jordan University of Science and Technology. Dr. Yasin's extensive qualifications are further augmented by professional certifications, including a Certified JBI Reviewer and specialized critical care certificates. His research interests are broad and impactful, focusing on creating healthy work environments, exploring educational pathways and professional development, developing research tools, and promoting equity/socioeconomic integration among marginalized groups. Please direct correspondence to yasin.yasin@unb.ca

Victoria Hayrabedian, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) student at Toronto Metropolitan University with a strong passion for advocacy, empowerment, and community engageme. Please direct correspondence to victoria.hayrabedian@torontomu.ca

Rezwana Rahman, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Rezwana Rahman is an assistant professor in the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing and a Ph.D. Candidate in Urban Health at Toronto Metropolitan University. A nurse educator and researcher, her work brings together nursing, education, technology, migration, and health equity to examine how care is taught, experienced, and sustained across families and communities. Please direct correspondence to rezwana.rahman@torontomu.ca

Acknowledgements

We sincerely thank all the authors who contributed significantly to the development of this manuscript. Their expertise, insightful perspectives, and dedication were crucial in shaping and enhancing our work. The distinct knowledge and commitment of each author greatly enriched the depth and comprehensiveness of our discussion. We are truly grateful for their invaluable contributions and the collaborative effort that made this study both informative and holistic.

Publication Date

8-2-2026

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

Recommended APA Citation

Al-Hamad, A., Metersky, K., Yasin, Y. M., Hayrabedian, V., & Rahman, R. (2026). Reimagining photovoice: Leveraging AI for inclusive and equitable engagement in refugee research. The Qualitative Report, 31(7), 6287-6307.

ORCID ID

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6400-0750