Planning for Real: Bringing Your Whole Self to the Field (QMMR F)

Session Submission Type: Short Course Half Day

Session Description

Traditional political science guidance approaches field research from the perspective of a supposedly neutral, unmarked researcher [i.e., a hegemonic white male] . Doing so does researchers a disservice by overlooking and underestimating the variability of bodies and positions that researchers actually carry everywhere they go. These varied bodies and positionalities are not ancillary to the planning and doing of fieldwork but influence every aspect of it. Researchers have to make decisions about which fields are safe, under what contexts, and for whom, whether, what, and what type of access they can likely secure, and more, and they should take their embodiment and likely positionalities into account in doing so. Researchers also need to take their caregiving needs and responsibilities; personal comfort, health, and safety; and financial status into account in planning and conducting field research. Meanwhile, the researcher is not the only decision-maker of note. Potential research gatekeepers’ and participants’ willingness to engage with researchers is influenced by multiple variables, including their own assessments of the researcher. These assessments stem from the researcher’s strategic self-presentation as well as the respondents’ levels of comfort and respect the type/category of people they understand the researcher to be. We take up these concerns in this interactive workshop session, not only sharing our experiences insights and expertise, but also creating space for participants integrate their whole selves into planning and adapting field work.

Sub Unit

• Pre-Conference Short Courses

Chair

• Jennifer Cyr Universidad Torcuato Di Tella

Presenters

• Robin L. Turner Butler University

• Natasha Behl Arizona State University

• Erica Townsend-Bell Oklahoma State University