Emotional engagements with the field: a view from Area Studies

Kay, R. and Oldfield, J. (2011) Emotional engagements with the field: a view from Area Studies. Europe-Asia Studies, 63(7), pp. 1275-1293. (doi: 10.1080/09668136.2011.592283)

Abstract

This article underlines the potential for multi-disciplinary area studies to provide a stimulating context within which to advance our understanding of the role that emotions play within the research process. The article seeks to argue for the relevance of emotional work with respect to research activity and, drawing from the experiences of the two authors, highlights some of the ways in which sensitivity to such matters can assist in making sense of our research experiences and findings. The article does not make any claim to introduce new ideas regarding the challenges involved in confronting the ‘emotional’ and ‘subjective’ in social science research; rather it is a response to a perceived lack of debate concerning such issues within the multi-disciplinary field of area studies, and particularly its published output, in spite of the vigorous discussions going on within many areas of the social sciences.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Oldfield, Dr Jonathan and Kay, Professor Rebecca
• Authors: Kay, R., and Oldfield, J.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Central and East European Studies
• Journal Name: Europe-Asia Studies
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• ISSN: 0966-8136
• ISSN (Online): 1465-3427
• Published Online: 15 August 2011