The Voice of the Visual: Visual Learning Strategies for Problem Analysis, Social Dialogue and Mediated Participation

The need for developing innovative learning strategies in the life sciences results from the growing complexity of societal issues. Nowadays, complex societal issues are also called wicked problems. Wicked problems are problems that do not have one single solution that is right or wrong, good or bad or true or false. These are problems in which many stakeholders are involved, each of them framing the issues in a different way. It is these kind of problems that require the development of innovative learning strategies. Two such innovative learning strategies are investigated in this book: Embedded Filming and Visual Problem Appraisal (VPA). Both strategies are termed visual as they are film-based. Especially VPA enhances the analysis of complex issues and facilitates a plan of action. The strategy is used in workshops dealing with problem analysis and policy design, and involves the participants meeting stakeholders through filmed narratives. The Voice of the Visual explores how mediated encounters with the Other, in different places or realities, contributes to problem analysis, social dialogue and mediated participation. It shows the value of film in the arena of social learning in multi stakeholder settings and sustainable development. The book builds on experiences from Congo R.D., Ghana, India, the Netherlands, Tanzania and Zambia.