Learning through mess: Sensemaking visual communication practices in a UK multidisciplinary applied health study

Area of Science:

• Visual communication
• Applied health research
• Qualitative research methods

Background:

• Developing novel visual communication practices presents unique challenges and opportunities.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration in applied health research requires effective communication strategies.
• Visual ethnography offers a unique perspective on research processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the emergence of new visual communication practices within an interdisciplinary applied health project.
• To reflect on the role of visual ethnography in understanding research 'mess' and failure.
• To identify principles for innovative visual communication in collaborative research.

Main Methods:

• The study employed visual ethnography as a co-researcher role.
• Sensemaking principles (Weick, 1995) were applied to interpret research experiences.
• Innovative visual methods were utilized to approach research 'mess' and failure.

Main Results:

• New visual communication practices can emerge from 'mess' and perceived failure.
• Embracing ambiguity and failure can be a catalyst for learning and innovation.
• Visual Sensemaking provides a framework for understanding and navigating complex research dynamics.

Conclusions:

• Principles for innovative, collaborative, and interdisciplinary visual communication were identified.
• Visual Sensemaking offers a valuable approach for researchers engaging with complex projects.
• The study highlights the potential of unconventional sources, like 'mess,' for generating novel communication outputs.