Participatory place-centred research with children in rural China during the COVID-19 pandemic: pivoting from in situ to virtual methods

This article shares our experience of pivoting a place-focused participatory research project with children in rural China who have migrant parents from an in situ design to an online design during the COVID-19 pandemic. In redesigning the project, we shifted the photovoice component online, and substituted digital storytelling for go-along interviews. We found that the use of cell phone-supported photovoice and storytelling techniques not only provided significant flexibility in engaging children, but also empowered them to take an active role in presenting their viewpoints. Our experience demonstrated the potential for these virtual methods to increase confidence and participation among child participants, while allowing for a meaningful collaborative process between the children and researchers. Although we recognize that the data lacks the observational dimensions inherent in field-based place research, the online platform and associated digital technologies nonetheless enabled both children and researchers to capture meaningful aspects of children’s lives in everyday places.