The limitations of Inclusive Research in practice: reappraising the ‘sympathetic researcher’ role in applied theatre research

ABSTRACT

Those who champion Inclusive Research techniques have often viewed the role of the ‘sympathetic researcher’ in studies that engage people with learning disabilities with suspicion. I argue that the rejection of this role is based on a simplistic view of empowerment, and risks reinforcing power hierarchies between researcher and subject. This article repositions the role of ‘sympathetic researcher’ and argues that a more pragmatic approach to the use of Inclusive Research techniques can create a broader platform from which the voices of people with learning disabilities can be heard.

KEYWORDS:

• Learning disability
• Inclusive Research
• sympathetic researcher
• empowerment
• practice

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

Molly Stedman, ever since devising a piece of theatre in a local SEN school at the age of fifteen, Molly has been interested in theatre made by and with performers with learning disabilities. This article was originally part of an undergraduate dissertation entitled ‘Discourses of empowerment in Learning Disability Theatres: A new debate’. Molly graduated from the University of Manchester with a BA (Hons) in Drama in 2018, and is currently working at the University of Manchester Students’ Union as Volunteering and fundraising intern.