Negotiations and Fieldworkings: Friendship and Feminist Research

Abstract

This paper explores the micro-level operations of power where researchers speak within, rather than across, worlds. It seeks to augment geographical feminist research literature that discusses interpersonal power relations in research spaces by exploring the complexities of ‘sameness’ between participants and researchers on the basis of sexuality and friendships. I argue for an understanding of power relations in the research process (recruiting, research gathering/forming, feedback and writing up) as negotiable if not necessarily negotiated. This is premised on an understanding of research (and research fields) as constituted through performativities and intersubjectivities between the researcher and participants, what the paper calls fieldworkings. Research fields as formed through fieldworkings include, but extend beyond, recognised research fields/spaces, in this case focus groups, interviews and coupled interviews, to wider social and personal relations including friendships. Thus, the paper concludes by contending that rather than moving beyond research relations, dialogues regarding fieldworkings as ongoing and negotiable could be productive.