Methodological reflections on visually mapping intangible remittances amidst environmental change

Emerging debates underscore the importance of advancing intangible remittances (IRs) research, particularly given the challenges of capturing nuanced exchanges within transnational migrant networks. This paper introduces visual mapping techniques as a new methodological tool for studying IRs in the context of environmental change to demonstrate how visual mapping can enable the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and practices within migrant networks. This approach amplifies the voices of those involved, brings experiential and tacit knowledge to the forefront, and examines migrant networks closely. Using interviews with Moroccan migrants in Tenerife, this paper examines the use of visual mapping as a co-creative research method. Participants used stickers to depict different types of remittances and provide an overview of their social networks, which allowed for an empirical assessment of IRs. The findings reveal how these networks facilitate climate adaptation discussions, influenced by key figures known as ‘glocal celebrities’ and shaped by gender and generational dynamics. By incorporating participatory and tactile elements, visual mapping fosters authentic, in-depth responses from participants, offering a rich understanding of intangible support exchanges. This methodological innovation not only contributes to climate adaptation research but also provides a valuable framework for studying IRs in migration contexts more broadly, with implications for future research on cross-border information flows.