'So what's arts got to do with it?': An autoethnography of navigating researcher positionality while co-creating knowledge. (June 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kamlongera, Mtisunge Isabel
• Is Part Of: Qualitative research. Volume 23:Number 3(2023)
• Page Start: 651
• Page End: 667
• Publication Date: 2023-06
• Subjects: Autoethnography -- co-creating knowledge -- insider–outsider -- researcher positionality -- participatory research -- outsider-within -- decolonial research -- Arts-Based Processes; Qualitative research -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 300.72
• DOI: 10.1177/14687941211045611
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1468-7941

Abstract

In this autoethnography, I share about my journey navigating multiple researcher positionalities. I commence with a reflection on how one of my positionalities as an 'outsider-within' influences my onto-epistemological stance and approach to the research. Through my shared case, where I am a 'marginal intellectual' with an intersectional researcher positionality, I highlight the complexities of negotiating power in co-creating knowledge with participants whilst navigating the insider/outsider/in-between researcher positions. I illustrate how a reflexive methodology incorporating Arts-Based processes (ABP) facilitated navigation of power dynamics in order to mitigate the 'representation crisis' often resulting from researcher positionalities.