Dwarfism expectations: intersections of gender, disability and (hetero)sexuality in engagements with potential participants

Pritchard, Erin (2019) Dwarfism expectations: intersections of gender, disability and (hetero)sexuality in engagements with potential participants. In: Engaging with Policy, Practice and Publics. Policy Press, Bristol, pp. 21-40. ISBN 978-1447350378

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Abstract

In this chapter I explore the challenges of conducting empirical research as a female with dwarfism. Within the social sciences, disabled participants are often classed as a vulnerable research group (Good, 2001BIB-009); however, the vulnerability of disabled researchers has been overlooked. In my fieldwork, concerns around personal safety meant I have had to adapt recruitment strategies, which has therefore shaped my research encounters. I shall reflect upon my positionality in terms of intersectionality as a young female researcher with dwarfism and how this has impacted on my research engagements. Aimed at academic researchers, particularly disabled female researchers, the discussion in this chapter demonstrates the importance of taking into account a researcher’s intersectional identity which can impact upon relationships with research participants and communities. Speaking to a broader audience, the chapter also calls for research ethics to be more considerate about the safety needs of the researcher, taking into account the risk of sexual harassment and assault. This chapter therefore adds to critical discussions concerning researcher safety and to the subject of disability and (hetero)sexuality.

Item Type:	Book Section
Faculty / Department:	Faculty of Education and Social Sciences > School of Social Sciences
Depositing User:	Erin Pritchard
Date Deposited:	27 May 2020 18:40
Last Modified:	12 Feb 2021 14:41
URI:	https://hira.hope.ac.uk/id/eprint/3062

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