The Visual Embodied Methodologies (VEM) network aims to create spaces of knowledge-exchange and research excellence around visual, embodied and art-based methodologies within, across and beyond Social Sciences. We believe that in using these methodologies lies the potential for co-produced forms of knowledge, opening possibilities to explore otherwise difficult to articulate issues.

The network, founded in 2019 by Dr Negar Elodie Behzadi and Professor Jelke Boesten, emerged within the Department of International Development. It has since expanded to span the Faculty of Social Sciences and Public Policy, and is co-coordinated by Professor Jelke Boesten, Professor Cathy McIlwaine (Geography) and Professor Rachel Kerr (War Studies).

Intersectional Gendered Violence (2023-2025)

In 2023, the VEM network was awarded a ESRC Methodologies award. The project will take place from 2023-2025, with the team focusing on different strands of intersectional gendered violence, and ways VEM can be used to address this.

Veminism Symposium: 13 September

Join our day-long Symposium, showcasing and debating how Visual and Embodied Methodologies can help us understand and resist intersectional gendered violence across a continuum of different types of violence, from sexual harassment to intimate partner violence, state and institutional violence, war and genocide.

Creative work will be accompanied by thematic panel discussions that sees social scientists in debate with activists, artists, and project participants. The symposium is free to attend and open to all.

Register here

Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council project ESX0116661: Visual and Embodied Methodologies for Imaging Intersectional Gendered Violence

Find out more

Sign up to our newsletter where we share updates from ‘Intersectional Gendered Violence’ and exciting events in 2025 including Film Screenings, Poetry readings and Performances.

See previous editions and catch up on the work - edition 8 (July 2025)

Catch up on our Veminism exhibition sharing work from our 2-year ESRC funded project, and recent editorials from Hey, Sis., reflections on the experience of using VEM as part of discussions at a Policy Lab, and how creative engagements using VEM can transform ‘unbelonging’ into ‘radical connection’ as part of a wider process of resisting direct and indirect gendered violence.