What If It Was All About Us? Researchers, Methodological Challenges, and Change-Oriented Research

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 7
  In Roundtable Session: Critical Methodologies: Ethnodrama, Storying, and Listening

Abstract

This paper uses reflectivity to explore the methodological tensions and discoveries critical ethnographers working across racial differences, in various power laden relationships in the field, experienced. This work explicates the ethical challenges and liminal change researchers experienced while attempting to do change oriented research to ponder methodologically sound critical research methods. This research utilized Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Critical Whiteness Studies (CWS) to understand how race and structures of Whiteness were evidenced in the researchers’ moves in the field. Findings reveal researcher race, positionality, and timing presented challenges to researchers voicing criticality during field work. This paper contemplates who is the beneficiary of change oriented research and how social justice researchers’ moves can limit liberationist change.

Authors

• Camea Davis, Georgia State University

• Stephanie Behm Cross, Georgia State University

• Lauren Jaramillo, Georgia State University