The Ethics of Ethnodrama as Representation in Research

Humphrey, H. (2022) The Ethics of Ethnodrama as Representation in Research. British Sociological Association Annual Conference 2022, Online, 20-22 Apr 2022. (Unpublished)

Abstract

This presentation considers the use of ethnodrama and composite characters which speaks to work on the ethics of creative methods and forms of representations of participant data. Within this research study example, the use of ethnodrama as a form of fictionalised representation of participants’ data was utilised to preserve anonymity through composite characters to voice the words of multiple participants. This protected participants’ ongoing relationships with each other. This allowed for discussion of the study (international trans and intersex activist relationships including group and organisational conflicts) without compromising these relationships. This work considers the benefits of protecting participants’ ongoing relationships with each other while addressing risks of subsuming participants into homogenous identities to offer a practical consideration of ethnodrama production. This methodological contribution speaks to the development of ethnodrama as a research tool. Moving from ethnodrama to ethnotheatre this article considers the recruitment of actors to inhabit these participant composite characters and the ethical implications of this dissemination. Ethical research requires a commitment to cause no harm at all stages of research including dissemination. Ethical research also requires engagement with current contexts in which research is conducted and findings are disseminated. This has particular relevance for a research project addressing trans and intersex activist relationships at a time of rising transphobia across the UK and within academia.

• Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item
• Status: Unpublished
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Humphrey, Dr Harvey
• Authors: Humphrey, H.
• Subjects: H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Sociology Anthropology and Applied Social Sciences

Related URLs

• Organisation