This episode, we are excited to bring you the wisdom of Madhawa “Mads” Palihapitiya. Originally from Sri Lanka, Mads currently teaches at University of Massachusetts – Boston and is an expert in conflict resolution and violence prevention, which he came to study as a result of growing up during Sri Lanka’s Civil War. Mads eventually began working as an evaluator in communities around Boston, which is when he started integrating photography into his evaluation work.

Jen came across Mads’ photography work while reading the AEA 365 blog, as she is wont to do in her leisure time. His article, “Images as Data for Needs Assessments and Evaluation,” and his discussion of art and images in evaluation piqued her interest in his work.

Unsurprisingly, Mads was a great guest. If you listen to the podcast, you’ll immediately see why. Like our episode with Stefanie Singer of EASE last month, he reminds us of the role that the arts can play in revealing our shared humanity and helping research participants express their truth.

Below, we share a few resources that Mads references during the episode:

• Through Our Eyes, a digital gallery showing photography from youth research participants in one of Mads’ projects, on artsteps
• PhotoVoice site
• Another nice explanation of PhotoVoice
• Original article from Caroline Wang on PhotoVoice, based on her work with Mary Ann Burris in rural China
• An example of Mads’ work
• Mads referenced an anthropological methodology called photo elicitation. Here are two quick resources on photo elicitation: resource 1 and resource 2. Some food for thought in resource 2: “Most elicitation studies use photographs, but there is no reason studies cannot be done with paintings, cartoons, public displays such as graffiti or advertising billboards or virtually any visual image.”
• Website for James Altschuld’s book, Bridging the Gap Between Asset/Capacity Building and Needs Assessment
• Resources on using performance art for conflict resolution
• Mads talked about having a “critical friend.”
• Mads referenced some tools for qualitative research: MAXQDA and NVivo

If we missed anything, please reach out and we’ll try and track it down for you!

We really enjoyed talking to Mads and we think you’re really going to enjoy the episode as well!

Unwitting Sponsor! This episode is unknowingly sponsored by one of Jen and Rebecca’s America’s favorite snack foods — chips and guac! We dare you to find a better pairing than crispy, salty tortilla chips and fresh guacamole. It can’t be done! Whether you’re chilling at work, relaxing by the pool, or meeting friends for margaritas, chips and guac offer what few snacks can: a chance to partake in something salty and crispy whilst also indulging in the hearty freshness of ripe avocado. We won’t even touch on the health benefits of those avocados. (The good fats!) So, please, put on your mask and go find yourself some chips and guac. You won’t regret it!