Photovoice

Photovoice creates space for reflection and dialogue at multiple levels of a workplace. Its influence can be personal, relational, organisational, and public, depending on how images and insights are shared and acted upon. The examples below outline possible areas of impact and suggest ways these might be evaluated, acknowledging that outcomes are often qualitative and evolve over time.

Examples of impact include ‍

1. Intrapersonal change – awareness and motivation ‍

Impact: Employees may begin to notice ecological features around them that previously went unnoticed – such as birds nesting outside an office window, wildflowers in a car park, or the absence of green space. Making these elements visible can foster care, attentiveness and emotional connection. Photovoice can also reveal how biodiversity links to wellbeing, this report from Business in the Community explains how ‘employees with views of trees and landscapes took an average of 11 hours less sick leave per year than employees with no view’.

Evaluating Intrapersonal impact:

• Employee reflections captured in process journals or short testimonials
• Pre- and post-project surveys exploring whether participants feel more connected to biodiversity or more motivated to act
• Anecdotal evidence of shifts in behaviour, for example, employees suggesting new practices such as leaving patches of grass unmown

In this video Geraldine Brown reflects on how the visual nature of Photovoice provides participants with a lasting, tangible outcome from their engagement:

2. Interpersonal change – collaboration and dialogue

‍Impact: Sharing images can spark conversations between colleagues, creating new spaces for dialogue about how daily routines affect ecosystems. Employees and management may identify unintended ecological consequences of workplace practices and begin to discuss alternatives. Mutual pledges can be formed, where both company and staff commit to biodiversity-supporting actions that can also feed into ESG reporting.  

‍Evaluating Interpersonal impact:

• Mapping new workplace initiatives or collective pledges that emerge
• Facilitated group reflections to capture themes and commitments
• Observation of changes in dialogue during meetings, workshops, or informal conversations

3. Organisational change – embedding in culture and strategy

‍Impact: Photovoice can challenge the idea that biodiversity is only an external Corporate Social Responsibility concern. Linking images to places, species, or landscapes that matter to staff, connects personal values with collective workplace responsibilities. Outputs can be integrated into ESG or net-zero reporting, offering a human dimension that complements technical data.  

Evaluating organisational impact:

• Inclusion of Photovoice images and narratives in internal reports, board reviews, or annual ESG statements
• Tracking whether biodiversity becomes more prominent in company values workshops, strategy days, or staff wellbeing initiatives
• Noting any solid organisational commitments inspired by Photovoice findings

4. Public and policy influence – reaching beyond the workplace

‍Impact: Mobile or digital Photovoice exhibitions can be displayed across departments, at company meetings, in the foyer, or at ESG events. These exhibitions give ecological concerns a visible and emotional presence in private spaces, helping leaders see staff experiences as part of strategic decision-making. When paired with calls to action, such as leadership pledges or sponsorship of grassroots initiatives, Photovoice can contribute to organisational influence in broader sustainability dialogues.  

Evaluating public and policy impact:

• Monitoring leadership responses and formal pledges made during or after exhibitions
• Media or stakeholder coverage of Photovoice outputs
• Tracing whether employee contributions inform longer-term sustainability commitments or partnerships

Practical actions to support impact

To enhance and extend the impact of a Photovoice process, ensure that insights lead to visible outcomes and organisational learning. This can help maintain engagement after the initial activity, support dialogue across different levels of the company, and demonstrate that employee reflections are being taken seriously. The examples below suggest ways to strengthen visibility, credibility, and constructive follow-up:

• Develop a travelling or digital exhibition of employee images for internal and external audiences
• Pair images with scientific evidence (e.g. links between access to nature, stress reduction, and productivity) to strengthen the case for action
• Frame Photovoice outputs as an organisational listening tool, highlighting themes and patterns rather than isolated complaints
• Balance critique with possibility, showing examples of what is already working well alongside areas needing improvement

In this video Geraldine Brown explains how Photovoice creates space for reflection and greater understanding of people’s lives and perspectives: