The qualitative imagination: neoliberalism, ‘blind drift’ and alternative pathways

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we argue that the non-positivist origins that provided the impetus for the qualitative imagination over the past half century in educational research has undergone subtle, but nevertheless profound change and transformation as neoliberal forms of governmentality have increasingly colonised social and educational research. We examine contemporary responses and challenges to this process from within and outside the academy. It is our contention that unless educational researchers critically engage with these new methodologies, particularly as they are generated by and through social movements, qualitative research is likely to become subject to what CW Mills (Mills) referred to as ‘blind drift'.

KEYWORDS:

• Neoliberalism
• qualitative research
• boutique methodologies
• historical
• activism

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. These are: (i) Journal of the Learning Sciences (established in1991) and (ii) the International Journal of Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (established in 2006). Both are official journals of the International Society of the Learning Sciences (established in 2002).