Deep situationality: Interstitial spaces and limits of identity in ethnographies of politics of immigrant integration

Language and translation strategies in researching migrant experience of difference from the position of migrant researcher

“…[…] This belonging was seen to endow me with a superior, almost organic knowledge of the 'community' not accessible to 'outsiders'. (Mohammad, 2001: 101) While still frequently recalled in migration studies, the insider/outsider binary is, nonetheless, a contested one as it inevitably simplifies the intricate and flexible nature of relationship between the migrant researcher and the migrant researched (Carling et al, 2014;Ergun and Erdemir, 2010;Matejskova, 2014;Merriam et al, 2001;Nowicka and Cieślik, 2014). Drawing on my own fieldwork experiences, the fact that I am Polish and I speak Polish definitely helped me gain 'insider' access to some people (e.g.…”

“…Specifically, I explore the challenges related to the assumed shared relationship with language between migrant researchers and their migrant informants. In doing so, I contribute to the debate about positionality and reflexivity in researching migration experience from the position of a migrant researcher (Carling et al, 2014;Kim, 2012;Matejskova, 2014;Nowicka and Cieślik, 2014). Furthermore, I discuss the implications of collecting data in one language and presenting the findings in another, and seek to extend the discussion on translation in a research process (Claramonte, 2009;Kim, 2012;Smith, 1996;Squires, 2009;Temple, 1997Temple, , 2006Temple, , 2008Temple and Young, 2004;Venuti, 1998;Wong and Poon, 2010).…”

Inside, Outside, Upside Down: Power, Positionality, and Limits of Ethnic Identity in the Ethnographies of the Far-Right

“…Researcher’s proximity and prolonged exposure to quotidian routines of the respondents—ethnography’s proverbial quality—contributes toward not only alleviating suspicion but creating a shared experiential context. In her interactions with Russian “Aussiedler” (immigrants) in Germany, Matejskova (2014) experienced such zones of unanticipated congruence. She had expected that her outsider status in terms of nationality, class, and occupational prestige (she was a Slovakian national pursing a doctoral degree at an American university) intimidated her less privileged respondents living on low-paid jobs.…”

Intra-Regional Migration of Labor Resources in Southeast Asia

“…Speaking the same language, sharing the same nationality and geographical location had fitted me into the category of 'insider' or 'native researcher' (Carling et al, 2014;Nowicka & Cieslik, 2014). Matejskova (2014) stated that insider researchers have benefits such as having pre-established trust with the community, familiarity with the cultural and geographical situation and gaining thorough understanding of complex issues in the data analysis stage. While acknowledging these benefits, I should also be aware of the disadvantages of being an insider-researcher.…”