interview
actions, words and agendas shape
the research, which is the reason
why I prefer to call them participants
instead of respondents or informants.
I did not conduct participatory
research in the classic sense of the
term, but I think that eventually, the
research is shaped like it is because of
their direct and indirect participation
in it. And as long as you’re open and
honest about the research you’re
doing, and aware of possible biases
and your responsibility towards
the people you’re working with,
allowing research participants to
shape research is very enriching and
rewarding. Especially if it’s about
delicate topics like migrant family
life. I think I was very lucky I got to
enjoy strong relationships with a very
diverse group of people and learn so
much from them.
How did you get to know these
participants?
Nanneke: By using different entry
points and snowball sampling.
I contacted a number of people
through formal agencies but I got
to know most of my participants
by moving around the village.
Although I always made sure the
people I encountered knew our
contact was part of official research,
our relationship usually developed
in relatively natural and informal
ways. They would also re-direct
me to family members, friends and
neighbours. This helped me develop a
solid network and also made me feel
at home.
Do you still have contact with
them?
Nanneke: Yes, especially with the
local research coordinator who has
become a close friend. Throughout
the research I also tried to stay in
touch with other key participants,
but as I describe in the thesis,
maintaining these connections is
often more difficult than it seems,
both emotionally and practically.
Especially during the last phases of
my PhD I have not always been able
to follow the research participants as
much as I would have liked. But I’m
now in the process of getting back in
touch with a number of them.
What was the best, most beautiful
moment of your PhD?
Nanneke: I think the best moments
happened when I suddenly started
to understand key clues from my
research material, talking this
through with participants, face-toface or by phone, and realizing it
made some sense what I was doing.
Also, I experienced some of the
best moments when I re-visited the
participants or called them after a
long time and they still made me feel
welcome.
And what was the worst, most
difficult moment?
Nanneke: I’ve actually enjoyed the
whole PhD journey immensely,
so it’s difficult to think of a worst
moment! I guess the less enjoyable
moments were related to feelings
of being overwhelmed, by academic
standards and competitiveness and
your own insecurities, thinking you
will never be able to live up to all
the expectations or will suddenly
‘get caught’ for not being a ‘real’
PhD candidate… But I think the
colleagues at IOB have always been
very supportive and effective in
putting the more annoying questions
into perspective.
To conclude, can you tell us the
most important thing you have
learned during your time at IOB?
Nanneke: What I’ve learned, is that it
is possible to make a living out of the
things that you’re really passionate
about. I think it is a real luxury to
be able to follow your interests, link
them with relevant social issues and
have a chance to share your insights
and doubts with colleagues across
the world.
Exchange to change June 2016
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