Indigenous Ethics Through a Research Advisory Group of Persons With Albinism: <i>Umunthu</i> Practices for Decolonizing and (Re-)centering <i>Othered</i> Voices in Qualitative Inquiry
The current global push toward decolonization requires critical consideration of how qualitative inquiry risks reinforcing colonial practices when indigenous ethics are less applied and marginalized voices are less heard. Decolonizing qualitative inquiry requires researchers to rethink power dynamics and skillfully and reflexively navigate insider–outsider positionalities. This article draws lessons from an ongoing field research process with a research advisory group (RAG) which resulted in participant-friendly methods, ethically sound research, and trustworthy analysis. A key argument is that the close involvement of a RAG guided by the Umunthu values of relationship and sharing, presents an opportunity for achieving decolonial practice. When marginalized voices are (re-)centered through a RAG, the participatory aspect of participatory approaches can be embodied.
Authors
- Elita Chamdimba (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8872-6820)
Institutions
- University of Strathclyde (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Qualitative Inquiry
- Published
- 2025-04-04
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1177/10778004251322728
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Indigenous Health, Education, and Rights
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.17
Funders
- Commonwealth Scholarship Commission