Questioning identities/shifting identities: the impact of researching sex and gender on a researcher’s LGBT+ identity

Rosie Nelson*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (Academic Journal) › peer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)
124 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This article explores the role of reflexivity, emotion work and insider/outsider researcher status in one queer researcher’s experiences of conducting fieldwork. Through exploring field diaries and interview extracts, this article highlights the impact of being/researching LGBT+ identities as a queer researcher. Five experiences are discussed: (i) the euphoria of connection, (ii) relationships with participants, (iii) retraumatisation through listening, (iv) finding oneself on the outside and (v) the researcher’s shifting identity. The article concludes with suggestions on the impact studying one’s own identity can have on the researcher, and suggestions for engaging in similar research practices.
Original languageEnglish
JournalQualitative Research
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 Apr 2020

Bibliographical note

Provisional acceptance date added, based on publication information.

Keywords

  • queer theory
  • reflexivity
  • emotion work
  • insider research
  • outsider research
  • lgbt
  • identity
  • sexuality
  • gender

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  • Full-text PDF (author accepted manuscript)

    This is the author accepted manuscript (AAM). The final published version (version of record) is available online via Sage at https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1468794120914522. Please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher.

    Accepted author manuscript, 311 KB

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