Reflexivity over caste and gender: disrupting researcher’s bias beliefs and habitus

Abstract

Reflexivity is not a new concept; however, the researcher’s reflexivity on caste and gender preconception in the South Asian context is an understudied area in qualitative studies. We know less about how a researcher’s prejudice can unconsciously exclude Dalits and females from their research. In this critical autoethnographic study, I extend the concept of reflexivity by illustrating first awareness of the subtle nuances of my own prejudiced disposition and belief against Dalit and female participants, and second how preconceptions can be disrupted by the researcher being conscious of everyday actions in the research field, and questioning moments of awkwardness or difficulties in and out of the field.

Keywords:

• Bourdieu
• reflexivity
• Dalits
• gender
• power relations

Acknowledgements

I would like to show my sincere gratitude to my supervisors Dr Andrea Gallant and Dr Claire Charles for their continuous support, guidance, and timely feedback on my research work. I would like to thank Ms Sara E. Fischer and Dr Hilary Cadman for providing feedback on this paper. I would like to acknowledge students, teachers, and the school principal who were involved in this research.

Disclosure statement

This is to acknowledge that there is not any financial interest or benefit that has arisen from the direct applications of this research.

Additional information

Funding

This study is an outcome of my PhD study, which was financially supported by Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia.

Notes on contributors

Sudeep Khanal

Dr Sudeep Khanal completed his PhD at Deakin University in 2020. His research is concerned with better understanding the effects of power and hierarchy on the educational experiences of Dalits in Nepal and working toward educational justice for this group.