Research image of the month – amplifying voices through visual research

This month’s research image of the month (August 2025) encapsulates Dr Sara Calvo Martinez’s research on how community social enterprises can create inclusive, healing, and empowering spaces for marginalised groups. 

In Sara’s own words…

“This image captures a deeply powerful and intimate moment from my field visit to Sheroes Hangout, a social enterprise café in Agra, India, run by women who have survived acid attacks. It shows me mid-conversation with one of the inspiring women who work there, surrounded by a film crew and immersed in the café’s warm, colourful atmosphere. Behind us, a mural - painted by one of the survivors - stands tall, a symbol of art as healing, resistance, and identity.

"This moment represents far more than a simple interview. It embodies the essence of my research: exploring how social enterprises in India create inclusive, healing, and empowering economic spaces for marginalised women. My work focuses on the transformative potential of social and solidarity economy (SSE) models, particularly those led by survivors of gender-based violence, and how these initiatives contribute to gender justice and inclusive development.

"I came into this area of research through years of collaboration with grassroots organisations and a commitment to social justice, gender equity, and sustainable development. My academic background spans social enterprise, visual anthropology, and participatory research. Over time, I became increasingly convinced of the power of visual storytelling to decolonise research and centre voices that are too often left out of mainstream narratives.

"I chose this particular image because it encapsulates everything I aim to achieve with my research: co-creation, dignity, and impact. It shows the collaborative nature of my methodology, rooted in ethical storytelling and mutual respect. The woman I’m speaking with is not just sharing her story - she is co-authoring a narrative of resilience and agency. The café itself, lined with books and adorned with artwork, represents a space reclaimed and transformed by its founders. This image radiates strength and pride, far removed from the often one-dimensional portrayals of victimhood.

"The impact of this work is already being felt. The video produced from this fieldwork has been widely shared via the Impact Story Channel on YouTube, reaching classrooms, conferences, and policy forums globally. The accompanying case study published in Social and Solidarity Economy: The World’s Economy with a Social Face has further contributed to academic and policy debates around inclusive economic models. The image symbolises how research - when participatory and visual - can truly touch hearts, inform minds, and inspire action.

This aligns seamlessly with The Open University’s (OU) mission to be open to people, places, and ideas. My research transcends traditional academic spaces and embraces the OU’s commitment to social justice, lifelong learning, and global citizenship. It also speaks directly to the OU’s Open Societal Challenges agenda - tackling gender-based violence, economic marginalisation, and social exclusion through survivor-led, community-based solutions.

Being named Research Image of the Month for August is an honour that extends beyond me. It’s a tribute to the women of Sheroes, whose courage and creativity shape a more compassionate world. Personally, it reinforces why I do this work: to create research that is not only academically rigorous, but also relational, inclusive, and transformative.”