Not a hair out of place? Embracing messy positionality when researching the geographies of hair in Greater Manchester

Wilkinson, Samantha ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1564-5472 and Wilkinson, Catherine (2022) Not a hair out of place? Embracing messy positionality when researching the geographies of hair in Greater Manchester. North West Geography, 22 (1). pp. 11-16. ISSN 1476-1580

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Abstract

In this paper, we respond to Folke’s (2022) call for moving beyond ‘shopping list’ positionality. Instead, we utilise ‘kitchen table reflexivity’ and in/visible tools to develop reflexive qualitative research. To do so, we use researcher diary excerpts from our research exploring the geographies of hair (on the head, face and body) in Greater Manchester, UK. In particular, we reflect on: motivations for pursing the research topic; researcher voice; and building rapport with participants. By doing so, we provide meaningful engagement with positionality throughout different stages of a qualitative research project, avoiding static and hollow positionality statements.