Our position on positionality: The messier the better!
by Samantha Wilkinson & Catherine Wilkinson
Samantha and Catherine are co-editors of Creative Methods for Human Geographers with Nadia von Benzon and Mark Holten. In this post they introduce a new open-access article that speaks to an important consideration for researchers who are using emerging methods: positionality.
Use the code MSPACEQ322 for a 20% discount from 1 July – 30 September
Positionality refers to attributes and characteristics that not only comprise who you are, but shape your positioning in relation to others. In academic research this is significant, as researchers constantly strive to reduce the power dynamic between ‘researcher’ and ‘researched’. What is more, positionality is important in qualitative research where the ‘self’ is used as an instrument to gather and analyse data.
Whilst, for a long time, positionality has been spoken of in terms of ‘fixed’ attributes such as race and nationality, researchers are increasingly considering other aspects that are more fluid, subjective and contextual, including researcher personality and appearance. We wrote this paper in a bid to encourage other researchers to meaningfully engage with positionality throughout different stages of a research project, embracing the inherent messiness of positionality, and thereby avoiding static and hollow positionality statements.
Learn more by reading this open-access article:
Wilkinson, S. and Wilkinson C. (2022). Not a hair out of place? Embracing messy positionality when researching the geographies of hair in Greater Manchester. North West Geography.
Abstract. In this paper, we respond to Folke’s (2022) call for moving beyond ‘shopping list’ positionality. Instead, we utilise ‘kitchen table reflexivity’ and in/visible tools to develop reflexive qualitative research. To do so, we use researcher diary excerpts from our research exploring the geographies of hair (on the head, face and body) in Greater Manchester, UK. In particular, we reflect on: motivations for pursing the research topic; researcher voice; and building rapport with participants. By doing so, we provide meaningful engagement with positionality throughout different stages of a qualitative research project, avoiding static and hollow positionality statements
More Methodspace Posts about Emerging Methods
Not all research involves words or numbers. Creative, visual, and arts-based methods are being used in new ways, in many fields of study. Find open-access examples in this post.