Using Visual Data in Qualitative Research

Marcus Banks was a prominent visual anthropologist known for pioneering work on visual research methods and the use of images in social science. He earned his doctorate in social anthropology and combined his anthropological expertise with film-making training, which enabled him to approach social research through both scholarly inquiry and visual media.

Banks served as Professor of Visual Anthropology at a leading university, where he taught and supervised research on visual methods, ethnographic film, and the analysis of visual data in social and cultural research. His interdisciplinary background — blending anthropology, ethnographic filmmaking, and qualitative research — made him uniquely qualified to guide students and researchers in using visual material as rigorous data sources.

He authored Using Visual Data in Qualitative Research, a widely respected and frequently cited guide that offers researchers a comprehensive introduction to collecting, interpreting, and presenting visual data (such as photos, videos, film, and other images) as part of social science research. Through this work, he has helped scholars, students, and practitioners understand how to integrate visual data into qualitative research — transforming images from mere illustrations into meaningful, analyzable evidence.

Marcus Banks also contributed to the broader field by publishing works on ethnographic film, visual anthropology theory, and the history of visual methods — making his scholarship influential among anthropologists, sociologists, communication scholars, and qualitative researchers across disciplines.

His legacy continues to guide those interested in visual ethnography, qualitative research design, and innovative methods for understanding social life through images and multimedia data.