61.079 - Who Are We Here? Interrogating Positionality in Participatory Arts-Based Research

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

Participatory arts-based methodologies can offer ways to democratize research. However, despite expectations for researchers to position themselves in this work, there remains uncertainty about how to go about doing this. This panel interrogates what it means to position yourself within participatory arts-based research. Framed by the question, “Who are we here?” the panel brings together Canadian doctoral students using participatory forms of photography, video and art-making in sub-Saharan African and online contexts. Exploring critical moments of positionality throughout the research process, we work ‘towards justice’ by taking up questions that blur the boundaries of insider and outsider positions in relation to culture, language and heritage as well as race, gender, class and age in our various research contexts.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Qualitative Research

Cosponsor

• SIG-Arts-Based Educational Research

Chair

• Jennifer A. Thompson, McGill University

Papers

• Leading a Collective: The Role of Participant Guidance in the Co-Construction of Researcher Positionality - Laurel Marie Hart, Concordia University

• Positionality, Expectations, and "Moments of Surprise" in a Photovoice Project in Malawi - Barbara Hunting, Bishop's University

• White Woman di Tok Pidgin?! Troubling Positionality, Participation, and the Politics of Language in Cameroon - Jennifer A. Thompson, McGill University

• Graying Subjectivity: Positionality as Between Here and There - April R. Mandrona, McGill University

• Participant-Produced Visual Media and Researcher Positionality in Research Incorporating Participatory Visual Methodologies - Katie MacEntee, McGill University

Discussant

• Claudia Mitchell, McGill University