I've put up the third prompt on another thread! As it's a small workshop group today; you're also more than welcome (and encouraged!) to discuss with each other too :)
I think reflecting on one's own positionality and acknowledging privilege is such a critical starting point which is why I really enjoyed the Workshop and this activity as it allowed space to do this. The second is finding a commitment to long-term meaningful engagement with research participants and research impact to nudge towards change. But, I think this is difficult, the longterm engagement challenged by research funding often for short projects and the the other by "research impact" not being recognised as something that makes a 'good researcher' (rather the prioritising of peer-reviewed publications). But, I do think that it is possible to make a personal commitment to long-term engagement. I also try to elevate the voices of research participants in blogs, research articles, reports, through photography and music. Indeed, flattening the balance is perhaps impossible, but rather engaging with other activities that make sure that research is the least extractive it can be and has benefits for communities - to actively more towards anti-colonial and anti-racist practices.
@Catherine Grasham@Ellie Armstrong [mod] really interesting point Catherine - and I imagine also very dependent on which institution we find ourselves in and who we are working alongside!
I thought as I was completing the ladder about how my positionality and privilege has changed over time. While there are aspects of my identity that are in the past and have shaped my opportunities, other aspects are more dynamic over time.
One aspect of my identity became meaningful in my research in ways it had not done before. I left school when I was 15, having experienced a lot of difficulties. In almost every social context my 'dropping out' of school is viewed negatively. However, in the research context my experience was similar to some of my the young women who participated in my research, and enabled us to share some understandings.
This is so interesting! I think especially in the case of doing a longer term research project (e.g. a PhD or post-PhD research) that change over the time of data collection, analysis and publication could change and reshape the research as it's happening.
I'd not really thought about this temporal dimension before - so illuminating!
Also, I find it interesting to think about how positionality changes as a result of disclosure. There are lots of things which might affect our positionality which may not be immediately apparent to others but when disclosed may alter our position.
Were there some of the aspects of privilege/disadvantage that you might not have thought of before / are less visible, and what might these mean for collaborative working in PAR?
@Catherine Grasham This is a really important reflection - I often think about what really disparate positions might mean. How are you navigating this in your research? Any strategies that you've been using?
@Catherine Grasham I have also been reflecting over the past few months on to what extent power dynamics are influenced by what we perceive as being legitimate power. E.g. in working with children withdrawing or responding in mono-syllables may be perceived as a legitimate exertion of personal power in not taking part. I have read some interesting stuff (i will try recall the references) on how it's not just about flattening imbalances but altering what we perceive as power.
I've put up the third prompt on another thread! As it's a small workshop group today; you're also more than welcome (and encouraged!) to discuss with each other too :)
I think reflecting on one's own positionality and acknowledging privilege is such a critical starting point which is why I really enjoyed the Workshop and this activity as it allowed space to do this. The second is finding a commitment to long-term meaningful engagement with research participants and research impact to nudge towards change. But, I think this is difficult, the longterm engagement challenged by research funding often for short projects and the the other by "research impact" not being recognised as something that makes a 'good researcher' (rather the prioritising of peer-reviewed publications). But, I do think that it is possible to make a personal commitment to long-term engagement. I also try to elevate the voices of research participants in blogs, research articles, reports, through photography and music. Indeed, flattening the balance is perhaps impossible, but rather engaging with other activities that make sure that research is the least extractive it can be and has benefits for communities - to actively more towards anti-colonial and anti-racist practices.
I thought as I was completing the ladder about how my positionality and privilege has changed over time. While there are aspects of my identity that are in the past and have shaped my opportunities, other aspects are more dynamic over time.
One aspect of my identity became meaningful in my research in ways it had not done before. I left school when I was 15, having experienced a lot of difficulties. In almost every social context my 'dropping out' of school is viewed negatively. However, in the research context my experience was similar to some of my the young women who participated in my research, and enabled us to share some understandings.
Were there some of the aspects of privilege/disadvantage that you might not have thought of before / are less visible, and what might these mean for collaborative working in PAR?
What did working through the ladder exercise make you think of in terms of you research?