Immersive and Embodied Methodologies in Disability Research: A Case Study of Preparing for Fieldwork with Visually Impaired Participants in Blue Spaces

Activity: External talk or presentationOral presentation

Description

This presentation examined methodological innovation in disability research, focusing on how preparatory participation can enhance inclusivity, trust-building, and researcher preparedness when working with participants whose sensory and spatial experiences differ from dominant norms. Using visually impaired engagement with blue spaces as a case study, the paper demonstrated how training as a sighted guide, volunteering with VI charities, and completing open-water safety training supported relational, ethical, and embodied approaches to fieldwork.

Extending debates on embodied methodologies, it highlighted the often-overlooked value of pre-fieldwork engagement for addressing accessibility, positionality, and sensory difference. Framed at the intersection of social research, public engagement, and inclusion agendas, the paper underscored the ethical and epistemological importance of interdependence.
Period23 Sept 2025
Held atSchool of Business and Law
Degree of RecognitionLocal