Biography
Biography
Since 2004, I photograph practically everything that happens around me. I have a degree from the University of the Arts London (Master of Arts in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography), and I have developed my doctoral thesis in the field of visual sociology.
Photos are at the core of my work, and I always try to include them as a communicative element. I have used it in projects in Kosovo, Ukraine, Ivory Coast, Mozambique or Spain. You can see my projects on this website.
My consultancy focuses on providing clarity, timeliness and rigour. In most of my work I use dialogue mapping.
In complex discussions, mapping can help you find points in common and a way forward. It also makes people feel listened to, and gives you a clear takeaway from your discussion. You can see a sample of my work following this link.
Why do I use dialogue mapping?
Many dialogue processes struggle to collect, analyse and integrate the variety of ideas and perspectives of their different participants. Striking the balance between conciseness and depth isn't easy, but mapping can help.
What exactly is “mapping”?
Dialogue mapping is a method for facilitation that involves the creation of dynamic maps using a computer. It can help make dialogues, consultations and meetings easier to translate into action. Maps are also a powerful tool to report on complex processes.
What does a dialogue map look like?
A dialogue map is the canvas that results from listening to conversation, reframing statements, summarising the main points and discovering connections through qualitative analysis. A dialogue map is simply a graphic representation of this process. They can help you unlock points of contention and enable participants to see the impact of their words and how they relate to what others have said. And they can be updated anytime!
How does dialogue mapping work?
You have two options.
Have someone who already knows dialogue mapping facilitate the discussion and build the map of the conversation. This often involves someone (me!) sitting by the computer and building a map of the discussion. This map is then used to clarify on open questions. This is ideal for complex conversations that you need to make sense of quickly.
Build the map yourself with some help. I provide participants with a short training so they can use their preferred system and begin building their own maps in no time. This is a great option to build your team's capacity while enabling constructive dialogue.
My research is focused on social media. Not so much and algorithms as on the sociology of it. That's why I sometimes use the term "digital sociology". You can see all my publications on ORCid. I do research on three areas:
Social media discourses of cancer
My PhD thesis, entitled The Shape of Cancer, traces the path from the survivorship discourses developed from the 1950s to today's influencer-driven cancer imagery. You can read it here
2. Social media and conflict
Since 2014 I have researched and done practical work on the digital technology-peacebuilding nexus. I published a book chapter that ellaborates on some of the uses of these technologies for mediation processes.
3. Visual discourses in social media
Much of the work done on social media within the social sciences deals with text and audio transcripts. This type of work is extremely useful. I also think more work needs to be done on analysing images in social media. Photographs and short videos populate platforms like TikTok and Instagram, and contain cues about our social imagination that are not always captured in text.
I'm Miguel, also known as Michi. I have a PhD in sociology, I'm a university professor and a photographer. I work in academia, the third sector and the corporate world.
I am currently a lecturer in the Department of Sociology at the University of Valladolid, where I research how we generate social discourses through social networks such as Instagram or TikTok. Apart from my academic work, I support NGOs and development agencies as an Associate at Conciliation Resources.
If you want to see a full list of my projects, you can visit me on LinkedIn, where you can also contact me.
Is this something you'd want to explore in your work?
Visit me on LinkedIn to get in touch or follow me on Instagram.