Stir: poetic field works from the Distant Voices project

Crockett Thomas, P. (2022) Stir: poetic field works from the Distant Voices project. Crime, Media, Culture, 18(1), pp. 40-51. (doi: 10.1177/1741659020970994)

[img] Text
221644.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

445kB

Abstract

In this brief research note I discuss and share from, Stir (2020): a collection of poems that were written while I was the research associate on the Distant Voices project based at the University of Glasgow (2017–2021). These poems reflect on my experience of doing ethnographic research in carceral spaces, and are written from the perspective of an outsider with a pass that allowed access for a limited time only. The collection is open access and available to read online. The note situates my project within the context of poetic practice in the social sciences. Inspired primarily by feminist scholarship, I also draw on actor-network theory to describe my research process as one of ‘translation’. The note also touches on historical anxieties about the legitimacy of the approach and the sociological preference for ‘found poetry’. I reflect on some ethical and creative questions that arose for me in writing poetry as social research, including representing research participants, use of pronouns and authorial voice, and emotions and research. I also discuss the affordances of working creatively with ethnographic materials, and the role of poetry in pursuing social change.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Thomas, Dr Phil
Authors: Crockett Thomas, P.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Sociology Anthropology and Applied Social Sciences
Journal Name:Crime, Media, Culture
Publisher:SAGE Publications
ISSN:1741-6590
ISSN (Online):1741-6604
Published Online:11 November 2020
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2020 The Author
First Published:First published in Crime, Media, Culture 18(1): 40-51
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record

Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
174003Distant Voices: Coming HomeFergus McNeillEconomic and Social Research Council (ESRC)ES/P002536/1S&PS - Sociology