[Feminist] Ethnography in Crisis

A pluralistic narrative adopted by ethnographers provided a better capture of the multifaceted realities of vulnerable communities in informal spaces during India’s COVID-19 pandemic.

Authors

Ashika Thomas, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom

Sakshi Chindaliya, Assistant Lecturer, Jindal School of Liberal Arts and Humanities, O.P Jindal Global University, Sonipat, India

Deepanshu Mohan, Professor of Practice, Jindal School of Liberal Arts and Humanities; Centre for New Economics Studies, Jindal School of Liberal Arts and Humanities, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, India

Rishiraj Sen, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, India

Summary

This chapter explores the challenges and adaptations in ethnographic research conducted in informal spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic in India. The chapter explores methodological tools unique to ethnography practices and the changes it underwent due to the restricted conditions during lockdowns.

The pandemic disrupted traditional long-term engagements, compelling researchers to rely on brief interactions, digital ethnography, and sparse interactions during fieldwork. The chapter details the complexities of fieldwork in informal spaces, addressing scepticism from respondents and ethical dilemmas amidst global crises.

The methodology incorporates feminist ethnography, aiming to capture diverse voices and avoid oversimplification among vulnerabilities. In addition to this, the chapter explores specific tools under feminist ethnography including (self-)reflexivity, polyvocality, and collaboration which aided the authors in presenting a nuanced understanding of vulnerable communities’ experiences. The authors advocate for a pluralistic narrative approach to convey the multifaceted realities of informal spaces during the pandemic, providing insights for policymakers and civil servants aiming to impact grassroots levels.

Published in: Pan-India Stories of Informal Workers During Covid-19 Pandemic

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