Maguire, Heather and McCartan, Andrew and Nash, Catherine Jean and Browne, Kath (2019) The enduring field: Exploring researcher emotions in covert research with antagonistic organisations. Area, 51. pp. 299-306. ISSN 0004-0894

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Abstract

This paper explores the emotional dimensions of doing covert research with antagonistic organisations. Drawing on the experiences of three researchers who identify as lesbian, gay, and LGBT ally, who covertly attended public and semipublic conferences and events organised by groups with heteroactivist positionings over two years, we consider the multiple, nuanced and complex emotional dimensions of being “behind enemy lines” (Jansson, 2010). We argue for greater consideration of the emotional spaces covert research creates, as in our case a “closet” space was produced which suppressed our sexualities or allyship. Furthermore, we argue that the process of doing covert research is one that both precedes and exceeds being in the field, and as such, we need to pay attention to researcher emotion as a process that begins long before we step into the field and continues long after we leave.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	covert research; covert self; emotion; heteroactivism; lesbian; gay; bisexual and trans; positionality;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Geography Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Institutes > Maynooth University Social Sciences Institute, MUSSI
Item ID:	13256
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1111/area.12464
Depositing User:	IR Editor
Date Deposited:	23 Sep 2020 11:14
Journal or Publication Title:	Area
Publisher:	Wiley Blackwell
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	Publisher
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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