Researching retired ex-servicemen: reflections on ethnographic encounters

Abstract

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Conducting ethnographic research in male-dominated environments: Reflections of a(n) (emotional) female researcher

“…Reflexivity is a useful tool in maintaining this fine balance, in which ethnographers engage in a process of critical reflection, acknowledging the links between their biographies, assumptions, and research approaches, and become increasingly aware of their position in the field and how this can influence the research setting (Pringle and Thorpe, 2017;Davies, 1999). For example, it has been suggested that shared identity characteristics between the researcher and research participants may facilitate the processes of gaining trust, access, and establishing and maintaining a rapport, with some researchers only ever being able to achieve superficial acceptance because of identity differences (Gurney, 1985;Williams et al, 2021). However, this notion has been challenged as individuals can connect with many different intersecting identities and societal groups and, considering race, gender, age and class, it is challenging for an ethnographer to easily align themselves across all these features (Alcoff, 1991;Chadderton, 2012).…”

“…However, this notion has been challenged as individuals can connect with many different intersecting identities and societal groups and, considering race, gender, age and class, it is challenging for an ethnographer to easily align themselves across all these features (Alcoff, 1991;Chadderton, 2012). In the published literature the identity markers and status relations of the researcher and the researched in ethnographic fieldwork is receiving more attention (Wheaton, 2002;Williams et al, 2021), but it has also been raised that, in maledominated spaces, there is little acknowledgement or visibility of the researchers' gendered identity in which 'maleness passes unquestioned' (Woodward, 2008, p. 548). Gottdiener (2005, p. 81) defines male-dominated environments as 'places where traditionally men have congregated more commonly than women and where males are at a distinct advantage regarding the deployment of power'.…”

“…The nature of ethnography, as a research approach, demands embeddedness, and it is the role of the ethnographer to become immersed in the field while striking a balance between involvement and detachment (Bowles et al, 2021;Fine and Hancock, 2017;Olive et al, 2016). This involvement can be facilitated by shared identity characteristics, such as gender (Williams et al, 2021) and engaging in reflexivity (Olive et al, 2016). However, it has been suggested that for female ethnographers, this requires additional management or labour.…”