Be adaptive and receptive to other voices- when receiving feedback from others, and they find problems within your research listen to their perspective. Odds are they are saying something you never thought about or never took into consideration while you were writing. Along with this, it is important to step back from the research you’re not suited for. If speaking on others’ experiences causes harm, step back, readjust and make the conscious decision of whether or not you should consider a new topic.
Be inclusive of non-binary people- many times throughout feminist research you only see the genders labeled through the male-female binary, this does not take into account those who do not identify within the binary.
Try to not act negatively upon hierarchies that are in favor of yourself- this is hard, especially if you are unaware or used to it, but it is pertinent in working towards an equal society. This coincides with standpoint theory, most of the time there is nothing you can do to change the position in which you were brought into, as this relies heavily on social constructs. At the very least try to empathize and understand other standpoints and write in an empathetic perspective. Research traditionally is analytical and blinded to the humanity in people, the “researched” should not be addressed as numbers.
Be Bold- do not hesitate when writing about traumas that you have personally experienced if you want to write about them. Though the expectation is that people will be accepting and coherent of your traumas that might not be the case, that should not matter. Take this into account but don’t hold back your voice. If sharing about something sensitive and you are worried about what others might think, share with a smaller audience.
Allow the researched to speak for themselves- within research, there are commonly hierarchies that form as “researcher” and “researched”. The “researched” are commonly exploited, as depicted in the situations where research has occurred like “Paris is Burning” and the research conducted about the Maori people. The goal is to not exploit others, or make a profit. A way in which we can minimize this is by directly having those we want to research involved within the publication and researching part of your project. If a profit is made, it should be used to help the researched, if it is not, this is an exploitation of other people’s traumas. While recognizing this power dynamic, it is important to specifically ask the researched what they want to be asked.
Have fun- research is commonly done for-profit or a project. It is my aim that even though it is intended for those categories that my research stays pure. With the intent that I will be interested in the overall topic and subtopic prescribed.
Take into account intersectionality and standpoint theory, recognize that I do not have the superior standpoint- much feminist research is written and explored by many white women. You cannot change who you are or how society sees you individually, but you can educate yourself on differing perspectives and experiences. It is important to use the experience of all different types of minorities within research, if you are not suited to be inclusive, there should be a disclaimer that acknowledges why it isn’t inclusive. You shouldn’t be inclusive for the sake of being inclusive as this diminishes the quality of work in which the researcher will be able to perform.
Hold those at fault accountable- many times for example in instances of rape the survivors are held accountable through various forms of victim-blaming. It is my aim to call this out for those who will read my work. The aim is to not blame people for their circumstances but blames those who actively profit off of people with harder circumstances. Within this, it is important to offer constructive ways in which the institution is able to minimize victim-blaming by the perpetrator.
Don’t write anything you’ll be ashamed of, take pride in your work- within feminist research, theory, etc. much of the terminology is ever-changing, and what is acceptable and unacceptable goes with the time. In order to get away from this, it is evident to provide a disclaimer that the terminology is acceptable for the time in which the writing has occurred. Along with this, it is imperative that the correct terminology for this time is used.
Don’t try to be groundbreaking- there is nothing for you to prove, groundbreaking research doesn’t come from people who want to be groundbreaking it comes from people who are committed to their pure research.