Feeding Conversations: Using Food as a Methodological Tool in Ethnographic Interviews

• In Event: Qualitative Methodology in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Abstract

This paper explores the methodological potential of food-sharing in qualitative research, using the context of fieldwork on intimate partner violence (IPV) in rural Michoacán, Mexico. Through
the use of comida corrida—locally prepared meals—the study demonstrates how food-sharing reshaped interview dynamics by fostering trust, emotional openness, and participant autonomy.
Rather than acting solely as a rapport-building tool, food-sharing became a catalyst for co-creating knowledge, helping participants recall personal narratives tied to trauma and resilience.
This article also engages with ethical complexities surrounding reciprocity, power, and cultural sensitivity in qualitative research. Grounded in feminist and decolonial frameworks, the study argues that embedding research within culturally meaningful practices enhances the depth of participant engagement while challenging hierarchical research paradigms. The findings
highlight how food-sharing can create inclusive spaces for narrative inquiry, encouraging participants to take ownership of their stories.

Author

• Veronica Valencia Gonzalez, University of South Carolina