This ethnography research explored the communication among researchers and participants of the COVID-19 digital diary project named SPEAR. The digital diary involves two approaches, the photovoice, and participatory video, which are implemented into four stages, the participant’s enrolment, the workshop, story production and coaching, and the dissemination or screening process. The researcher observed the digital diary process which conducted in 3 sites; Jakarta Bandung and Southwest Sumba, and took fieldnotes both in handwriting and audio recording. 9 participants out of 36 SPEAR digital diary participants in total and 3 SPEAR researchers who facilitated the digital diary were chosen as respondent of this research. The findings presented in this thesis suggest different levels of communication when done online or in person, as well as between the researchers and enthusiast participants or task-oriented participants. Though this approach may invigorate, spur creativity, and enhance community participation, for certain conditions, they may be stressful and suppress participation, for instance, maintaining dialogue to ensure the participant’s openness or eliminating the researcher's ego to involve in the participant's stories. In closing, the digital diaries approach has the potential to unveil the complex dynamics of community life in a way that benefits both the researcher and the participants. Importantly, they create opportunities for researchers to develop meaningful relationships with participants.

Keywords: digital diaries, participatory action research, visual communication, communication in research