Autoethnography of a Qualitative Researcher in Engineering School: Think the Politics of Co-Production With Care

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 8:00 am Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: Critical, Decolonial, and Queer Theories (Table 4)

Abstract

This autoethnographic study traces the arc of my journey as a qualitative researcher within engineering schools, framed through a feminist-ecological approach to transdisciplinarity. It explores the dynamics of knowledge co-production, emphasizing the affective labor and relational ontology that challenge the conventional disciplinary boundaries. My experiences with engineering colleagues highlight the political intricacies of co-production, shaping my identity as a transdisciplinary researcher. Through daily dialogues and collaborative encounters, I navigate the "thick fog" of differing epistemological views, fostering a reflective practice that transcends traditional academic silos. This process not only informs my evolving research paradigm but also underscores the complex interplay of cooperation and tension inherent in interdisciplinary settings.

Author

• Ahreum Lim, Arizona State University