In this blog post, I’ll share how two people from different careers see how their work affects their personal lives and contributes to development and social change. I spoke with a well-known photographer from Cyprus and an NGO worker in London who supports migrant rights. One interview was conducted face-to-face in Nicosia, Cyprus, while the other took place via a Zoom call.
Even though I chose people from different professions, my goal was to understand their thoughts and feelings about how their work plays a role in achieving similar goals. I was also curious to see if their motivations came from similar experiences or concerns. That’s why I asked both of them almost the same set of questions, adjusting one slightly to fit their specific fields.
Background and Contact
I met the first interviewee (S.K.) at a book presentation event. His book features photographs from Varosha, a now-abandoned town whose residents were forcibly displaced after the Turkish occupation of Cyprus. After the event, I approached him to discuss his book. I already knew I wanted to focus my assignment on the connection between art, development, and social change. I shared my idea, and he agreed to take part in this academic interview.
My second interviewee (N.C.) is a Casework & Advocacy Officer for an NGO that describes itself as a “consortium of grassroots community organizations.” His work focuses on helping migrant workers and their families, especially those with limited or undocumented immigration status, understand their rights and advocate for better living and working conditions. I met him during a conference on migrant workers, contacted him later about my project, and he agreed to be interviewed.
S.K. (Interview 1)
Preparation and Consent
S.K. gave consent for the interview to be audio recorded. We met in person in Nicosia, and the interview lasted about 20 minutes.
Interview Guiding Questions
1. What motivated you to pursue photojournalism in conflict zones and create projects that address issues such as forced displacement?
2. How do you believe art can contribute to development and drive social change?
3. Can you describe a project that had a lasting personal impact on you?
Reflection and Rapport
This interview showed me how important it is to build rapport between interviewer and interviewee. I decided to start with a question that was personally tied to S.K.’s background and work, which may be why I received his longest answer to the first question.
Before the interview, we had already interacted and discovered some shared interests in social and political issues. This set the tone for the interview, which naturally revolved around the theme of forced displacement. Our conversation had a friendly tone and flowed easily.
S.K. gave detailed answers and often referred to Greek philosophy to show how art and social progress are connected. He spoke with a lot of passion, combining political, personal, and philosophical ideas, and it was clear he was really engaged in the interview.
N.C. (Interview 2)
Preparation and Consent
N.C. also gave consent for the interview to be recorded. This interview took place via Zoom, and I used screen and audio recording software. The interview lasted around 15 minutes.
Interview Guiding Questions
1. What motivated you to engage with migrant workers and their families, also those facing undocumented or limited immigration status?
2. How do you believe non-governmental organizations can promote development and social change?
3. Could you describe a meaningful project that left a lasting impression on you personally?
Reflection and Rapport
From the start, it was clear that the dynamic of this interview was different from the face-to-face meeting. Before we officially began, we chatted about daily topics and got to know each other a bit better, including our shared involvement in activism. However, unlike S.K., it took a little more time to build rapport with N.C.
There were two key differences between the interviews. First, the interview with N.C. was shorter. Second, while S.K.’s longest response was to the first question, N.C.’s longest and most detailed answer came in response to the final question.
N.C. has an activism background and spoke passionately, sharing personal stories about migration. Hearing his experiences reminded me how personal struggles can inspire people to make a difference.
Conclusion
Doing these interviews was a valuable experience that gave me a better understanding of how people from different fields view social change. At first, I felt a bit nervous about reaching out to interviewees, but as I went along, it became more natural and even enjoyable. This process showed me that interviews are not just a research tool but also a way to connect with people and learn from their perspectives.
One of the most helpful parts of the process was creating a set of guiding questions that both interviewees could relate to while adapting them to fit their fields. This approach allowed me to compare their experiences while respecting the differences in their work. I found it interesting that even though one focused on art and the other on advocacy, their motivations and goals were very similar. Both wanted to raise awareness and promote social justice.
Reflections on Interview Formats
The face-to-face interview felt more rewarding because non-verbal communication, like eye contact and body language, made the conversation feel more natural and personal. Meeting in person also made it easier to build a stronger connection. On the other hand, the Zoom interview had its challenges, especially when trying to build rapport. I had to make more of an effort to keep the conversation engaging, but by using prompts and active listening, I was able to create a comfortable space and have a meaningful discussion.
This experience taught me the value of being well-prepared, staying flexible, and building trust during interviews. I also learned how to balance using set questions with allowing the conversation to flow naturally. I believe the things I learned from this assignment will be especially useful for my degree project. I now feel more prepared and capable of handling different types of interviews and communication styles.
