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Digital storytelling with South African youth: a critical reflection

Diane Levine (Leicester Institute for Advanced Studies and School of Media,Communications and Sociology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK) (The Centre for Social Development in Africa, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa)
Linda Theron (University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa)

Qualitative Research Journal

ISSN: 1443-9883

Article publication date: 24 June 2022

Issue publication date: 22 November 2022

124

Abstract

Purpose

In this paper the authors share, and reflect critically on, the experience of using digital storytelling (DS) methods in a South African township. We interrogate the innovations prompted as we operationalized DS in a context that has historically prized collectivist values and that experiences chronic resource constraints.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors ask: How can DS be optimally used to understand youth resilience in a collectivist, developing context? The authors worked with 18 older adolescents (aged 18–24) during two day-long events. The authors provide detailed descriptions of the method used, and offer reflections focusing on narrative, visuals and technology-mediation.

Findings

This study concludes by sharing four key lessons learned during the project. First, revisit the definition of “story” for your context, participant group and time. Second, a slower process yields more meaningful product. Third, facilitator competence matters. Finally, advance and deeper thinking about the ways in which technology will be used leads to richer research outcomes.

Originality/value

The paper reflects on the interplay between the transactional nature of contemporary digitally-mediated methods in a low-resource setting and with a seldom-heard population, and it's relationship with the ancient local traditions of story-making and audiencing.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Funding: This research was funded by the British Academy Newton Mobility Fund (award number: NMGR1180547).

Citation

Levine, D. and Theron, L. (2022), "Digital storytelling with South African youth: a critical reflection", Qualitative Research Journal, Vol. 22 No. 4, pp. 528-547. https://doi.org/10.1108/QRJ-03-2022-0037

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

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