Coping techniques and strategies for pursuing anti-racism within academe

A collective autoethnographic account from minoritised academics in the UK

Datos Bibliográficos

ID6059176
AutoresAnita Garvey (0000-0002-8295-5067, Northumbria University), Reem Talhouk (0000-0002-8470-056X, Northumbria University), Benjamin Ajibade (0000-0002-0204-4205, Northumbria University)
Año2025
Volumen44
Número1
Páginas41-60
Fecha de publicación2025-01-27
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaEqual Opportunities International (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1758-7093 • E-ISSN: 2040-7149
EditorialEmerald (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1108/edi-03-2023-0090
OpenAlexW4388251411
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas2
Referencias citadas59

Purpose Drawing upon the authors’ experiences as minoritised academic scholars within leadership roles of a Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic (BAME) Network in the United Kingdom (UK) academe, the authors explored the research question “In what ways do racially minoritised academics use coping techniques and strategies to counter racism and inequality in the higher education environment”. Design/methodology/approach The authors used a collective autoethnography approach accompanied by storytelling, underpinned by a qualitative interpretative process, supported by inductive, data-driven theorising. The authors’ approach is supplemented by the usage of content analysis (Schrieier, 2012) to analyse the data and generate findings. Findings The research findings specifically highlight (1) collectivism, solidarity and belonging, (2) knowledge expansion and critical consciousness, (3) disarming approaches and emotional labour, (4) resistance through setting boundaries and (5) intersectionality and BAME men allyship, as specific approaches for taking forward anti-racism. Research limitations/implications Autoethnographic research has encountered challenges around verification, transparency and veracity of data, and issues have been debated due to its subjective nature (see Jones, 2010; Keeler, 2019; Méndez, 2013). Additional complications arise regarding neutrality and objectivity associated with the researchers' identities and experiences being represented in autoethnographic accounts. The authors acknowledge that the accounts provided are subjective, and have influenced the research process and product. Originality/value Research on the experiences of minoritised academics leading staff equality networks constitutes a research gap. This article offers an original analysis through outlining the authors’ lived experiences in leadership positions of a BAME Network and hope to other minoritised employees undertaking anti-racist work

Autoethnography · Epistemology · Originality · Political science · Politics · Qualitative research · Racism · Reflexivity · Social science · Sociology · Solidarity · Emotional Labor in Professions · Gender Diversity and Inequality · Gender Studies · Mentoring and Academic Development