Inter-Agential Life of the Mitochondria: Implications for Qualitative Research Methods and Methodologies

• In Event: Moscone Center North Roundtable Session 1
  In Roundtable Session: Material, Matter, and Movement

Abstract

The post-qualitative turn in the field of qualitative inquiry has problematized traditional, humanistic approaches to research design, data collection, and data analysis. With these challenges to human-centered research, many questions arise, and novel theories are needed. Here, we take a post-human, new material approach by exploring mitochondria as a thinking-with partner. Over vast swaths of time, intra-activity and entanglement have shaped the mitochondria’s body as it has shaped ours. We consider mitochondria to be living ancestors of the more-than-human, and their story of loss, acceptance, death, and flourishing conveys a wisdom far in excess of human-centered traditions. Thinking with mitochondria has the potential for novel insights into method and methodology for post-qualitative inquiry in a more-than-human world.

Authors

• Nicole Bowers, Arizona State University

• David L. Carlson, Arizona State University