This guest lecture introduces the role of visuals in politics and social science research, starting from the idea that much social and political meaning is conveyed through images as well as words. We consider the many visual technologies that shape everyday life (photography, film, video, television, social media, election campaigns, and meme) and explore how these visuals offer particular ways of seeing the world. The lecture also discusses how visual materials can be analysed as data in political and social research, with a particular focus on democracy research. Invited by Dr Andrea Felicetti (Scuola Normale Superiore).