Researching Morality Politics: Sex Work, State and the Position of the Researcher

Starting with an explosive conflict that erupted between the researcher and local government, I reflect on the possibility of doing government-financed research on a morally contested topic such as prostitution. Despite adhering to all the tenets of co-productive inquiry, the conflict was escalated by the government sponsors who were determined to ignore its main finding and force their position on the final report. This led the researcher to conclude that sex work research cannot – and should not – take place without provisions for including sex workers as co-producers of the research. I reflect on the methodological implications of this position and on the demarcation between research and activism. References. Wagenaar, H. (2015), “Governance-Driven Conflict: Policy, Reason of State and Authoritarian Governmentality”, in E. Gualini, J. Mourato and M. Allegra (eds.) Conflict in the City: Contested Urban Spaces and Local Democracy, Berlin: Jovis Verlag, pp 112-132 Wagenaar, H & Altink S, (2012), “Prostitution as Morality Politics or Why It Is Exceedingly Difficult To Design and Sustain Effective Prostitution Policy”, Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 9: 279-297 Wagenaar, H. Altink, S and Amesberger, H. (2013), Final Report of the International Comparative study of Prostitution Policy, The Hague: Platform 31