3 - Using digital/spatial methods to look into the experiences of targeted/at-risk populations

Presentation Abstract
This paper discusses the narratives and experiences of marginalised and at-risk populations through the lens of digital and spatial methods. The focus is on understanding the lives and challenges faced by these communities and how digitally-mediated research provides insights in unfolding such narratives. This paper seeks to present what aspects of marginalisation is visibilised through digital and spatial methods as a platform for those who are often silenced and overlooked.

This paper also reflects on both the capabilities and challenges of digital methods, including geospatial technologies, social media analysis, and data visualisation, in analysing what is meant by being “maginalised”. Whereas such methods are employed to collect and interpret data that give voice to targeted and at-risk populations, there is also a question of who is marginalised in accessing such methods and data. This has implications to further understand the multifaceted dimensions of digital methods, emphasising both the perils and potentials to capture the spatiality of experiences through digital platforms. The analysis also extends its focus to the ethical considerations and challenges of utilising digital and spatial methods, and the issues on safeguarding the rights and dignity of the studied populations. This paper hopes to prompt further collaboration between scholars, practitioners, and the communities themselves in exploring targeted/at-risk populations through digitally-mediated research.

Co-Author 1
Mylene De Guzman, University of the Philippines Diliman