Shifting the Narrative: Photovoice as a Strategy to Highlight, Interrupt, And Challenge Anti-blackness in Educational Spaces

Author

Bianca Shinn, Sacred Heart University

Date of Award

2025

Degree Type

Doctoral Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Education

Comments

Presented to the Faculty of Sacred Heart University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education

Committee Chair

T. Lee Morgan, Ph.D.

2nd Reader

Deirdra Preis, Ed.D

3rd Reader

Jennifer L. Wilson, Ph.D, LCSW

Abstract

This Improvement Science in Practice dissertation employs a mixed-methods, critical participatory action research approach to examine strategies educators can use to disrupt anti-Black practices contributing to racial discipline disparities affecting Black students. The Iceberg Model (Monat & Gann, 2015), a framework for understanding the systemic structures, patterns, and mental models perpetuating anti-Blackness in educational spaces guided the analysis. This study explores how overt and covert expressions of anti-Blackness manifest in schools, particularly in the hyper-disciplining of Black students, a term used to describe the disproportionately high rates of disciplinary actions imposed on Black students, which negatively impact their mental and physical well-being. The study aims to enhance educators' cultural awareness and competency through targeted interventions and strategic resources, equipping them with tools to recognize, challenge, and disrupt harmful biases.

A key component of this study was the integration of Photovoice, an arts-based participatory research method that raises critical consciousness, fosters self-reflection, and drives social change (Bazemore-Bertrand, 2021; Wang & Burris, 1997). Over a six-week professional learning journey, co-researchers actively engaged in critical reflections, discussions, and Photovoice activities. Findings indicated a significant increase in educators' awareness of anti-Blackness and a strengthened commitment to equitable action. This study reinforces the effectiveness of Photovoice as a transformative tool for disrupting systemic inequities in education, highlighting the importance of active engagement in the research process.

Recommended Citation

Shinn, B. (2025). Shifting the narrative: Photovoice as a strategy to highlight, interrupt, and challenge anti-blackness in educational spaces [Doctoral dissertation, Sacred Heart University]. https://digitalcommons.sacredheart.edu/edd/64/

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.