In person icon Тhe Politics of Experience: Emotions, Stories, and Visuals in Qualitative Research

Abstract

This panel explores innovative and interpretive methodologies in qualitative political science research, focusing on how emotions, personal narratives, and visual elements can enrich our understanding of political phenomena. Moving beyond conventional approaches, the panel aims to highlight the significance of lived experiences and creative methods in capturing the complexity of political life. Through a focus on interpretive approaches, we seek to demonstrate the value of methodological innovation in deepening our insights into policy processes, political legitimacy, and the social world. The panel reflects a growing recognition in political science of the limitations of strictly positivist frameworks for understanding nuanced and multi-dimensional phenomena. Drawing on interpretive traditions and recent methodological advancements, this panel emphasises the importance of creativity in research design and its potential to reveal new dimensions of political inquiry. The presentations will offer a diverse range of case studies and methodological reflections. Topics include the use of personal narratives and storytelling to access lived experiences in authoritarian and post-authoritarian contexts, the role of emotional dynamics in shaping political behaviour and policy outcomes, and the application of visual methodologies to explore political engagement and social movements. These studies highlight the potential of these approaches to generate richer, more nuanced data and challenge prevailing assumptions in political science research. By engaging with interpretive methodologies, the panel also confronts the practical challenges and epistemological questions associated with such approaches: how can researchers maintain rigour while embracing the subjective and affective dimensions of political life? What ethical considerations arise in the use of personal stories and visual materials? And how can the insights gained through these methods inform broader theoretical and empirical debates within the discipline?

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