Toward Active Reflexivity: Positionality and Practice in the Production of Knowledge

TLDR

Positionality is increasingly theorized as intersectional and context‑dependent, yet a gap remains between its theoretical understanding and practical application, and ignoring its dynamism can harm research processes. The article proposes a posture of active reflexivity as a way for scholars to recognize and respond to positionality during research. It outlines four strategies for active reflexivity: recording assumptions, routinizing reflexivity, involving other actors, and transparently showing work in publications.

Abstract

ABSTRACT How should scholars recognize and respond to the complexities of positionality during the research process? Although there has been much theorizing on the intersectional and context-dependent nature of positionality, there remains a disjuncture between how positionality is understood theoretically and how it is applied. Ignoring the dynamism of positionality in practice has implications for the research process. This article theorizes one means of recognizing and responding to positionality in practice: a posture of “active reflexivity.” It outlines how we can become actively reflexive by adopting a disposition toward both ongoing reflection about our own social location and ongoing reflection on our assumptions regarding others’ perceptions. We then articulate four strategies for doing active reflexivity: recording assumptions around positionality; routinizing and systemizing reflexivity; bringing other actors into the process; and “showing our work” in the publication process.