How much of a role should our own personal identity play in conducting research? In the past, the answer to this has often been ‘very little’ by researchers who tended to see identity as a problem to overcome – the idea that the researcher is simply an unbiased recorder of information. However, the round-table discussion with Professor Tracey McIntosh, Dr. Jemaima Tiatia-Seath, Dr. Ann Bartos and Daniel Hernandez presents another answer to this question through their comments on the role of identity in research.
Both Daniel Hernandez and Professor McIntosh talked about how their identity shaped the story they were telling and the reason for telling that story. For example, Hernandez’s research on kava was inspired by his experiences growing up and he thus had intimate knowledge of kava circles. Similarly, Professor Tracy McIntosh’s identity as a Maori woman influenced her to research the issue of high incarceration rates for Maori women. Seeing the passion they brought to the discussion demonstrates how having that personal connection better allows you to tell the story of that research.
For these researchers, identity was also presented as an asset that allowed them to use their ‘insider knowledge’ to paint a better picture of the topic. This idea of insider knowledge was of particular importance to Professor McIntosh, Dr. Tiatia-Seath and Daniel Hernandez whose research concerned people or experiences they were personally familiar with. Not only can our identity influence our research topics, it can also provide the head start of a personal understanding of the topic.
So, when leaving the roundtable discussion I was faced with the realisation that before even beginning my own research I have to figure out how my unique experiences, background, and identity will play a role.
