In recent years, the field of social sciences has witnessed a significant shift in both data collection methods and knowledge production. This transformation is particularly evident in disciplines such as anthropology, geography, and sociology. Researchers are increasingly turning towards audiovisual methodologies, including photography, moving images, and sound to enrich their scholarly work and provide deeper, more nuanced insights into their subjects of study. Alternative forms of writing have thus emerged as powerful tools in the social sciences, challenging traditional academic narratives and offering fresh perspectives to share and disseminate knowledge by engaging the senses. These methods often incorporate creative and reflective approaches, allowing researchers to engage more intimately with their subjects and convey complex cultural and social phenomena. They, indeed, foster greater inclusivity and participation in the research process. Participants are often more engaged and willing to share their stories when approached through creative and non-traditional methods. This inclusivity enhances the depth and authenticity of the collected data, leading to richer and more representative scholarly outputs.
The use and status of photography within the different fields of social sciences have come a long way since its various colonial incarnations of capturing “the real” and cataloguing humankind. Photography no longer serves as mere illustration of fieldwork and several sharp critical turns taken over the last three decades in the fields of anthropology and history have radically transformed not only our way of viewing and producing photographic images but also of questioning the ideological underpinnings of archival practices. Further, the recent intensification of the dialogue between art and social sciences further opens up critical and creative means of writing social sciences and visual storytelling.
Moving images, or video recordings, offer a comprehensive medium for documenting and analysing social phenomena. In anthropology and sociology, for example, ethnographic films and documentaries enable researchers to present continuous, real-time accounts of social interactions, rituals, and events. These visual narratives not only enhance the descriptive quality of research but also enable a more interactive and engaging form of scientific communication.
Sound recordings are increasingly used to capture the auditory dimensions of social life. In sonic ethnography, soundscapes—composed of ambient sounds, music, conversations, and voices—offer a rich auditory context that can convey the atmosphere and ambiance of a setting in a unique way. These auditory data are particularly valuable for understanding communities’ lived experiences, as they add a sensory dimension to social research. Similarly, the production of podcasts, as an alternative form of writing, democratizes access to complex academic research through accessible and engaging formats for a broad audience.
At a time when advanced technological tools such AI-generated images and sounds are revolutionising our way of creating and consuming information, it becomes all the more crucial for social science researchers to address issues related to the use and practices surrounding the production of images and sounds in scientific approaches. If these technologies offer unprecedented opportunities to capture, analyse, and disseminate data, they also pose significant ethical and methodological challenges. Considering this context, critically engaging with and questioning audiovisual tools and their associated methodologies is an urgent necessity. In a field that is constantly evolving, this 8th edition of the Social Sciences Winter School in Pondicherry aims to encourage critical reflection on these issues and to promote in social sciences research the integration of these innovative methodologies, which will undoubtedly play an increasingly important role in advancing our understanding of complex social realities.