Emotional Methodologies in Practice: A Reflexive Account of Researching Dark Tourism

Poade, Donna ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7405-6790 (2027) Emotional Methodologies in Practice: A Reflexive Account of Researching Dark Tourism. In: The Messy Reality of Fieldwork Across the Social Sciences and Humanities: Volume Two. Routledge, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, UK. ISBN 9781041285182 (In Press)

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Abstract / Summary

Research is messy and unpredictable. This chapter reflects on my 2017 doctoral journey researching the sensitive topic of dark tourism, arguing that despite (self-perceived) ‘failures’, the experience produced enriched scholarship, a deeper sense of self, and a more nuanced interpretation of the findings.
My doctoral research used a qualitative methodology to explore the management of dark tourism, broadly defined as ‘an association in one form or another between a tourism site, attraction or experience, and death, disaster or suffering’ (Sharpley and Stone 2009:10). The profound personal impact was not anticipated, particularly given the limited institutional support available. Immersion in material centred on death and suffering generated anxieties that significantly affected my wellbeing.
Over time, I learned to view these emotions as opportunities for reflection and for understanding the human condition, enabling original insights into the data and my identity as a researcher. A PhD chapter on emotional methodologies allowed me to explore and share this experience, while the journey also motivated advocacy for institutional training and support structures for researchers working with sensitive material, culminating in a conference on researcher wellbeing and a publication.

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