The holistic bricolage research approach: advantages and barriers to its application at doctoral level

This paper explores the use of holistic bricolage as a comprehensive research process, with a specific focus on its application at doctoral level. The holistic bricolage approach involves applying the bricolage process to the entire project, from inception to completion. In its wide-ranging scope, the holistic bricolage research approach offers a unique and beneficial research method that can be applied across various fields of study including geography. We showcase the holistic bricolage approach through its initial application in a disaster risk reduction (DRR) research area, specifically in a study carried out in a geography department on the evolving characteristics of seismic and volcanic vulnerability and resilience on the island of São Miguel, Azores. We discuss barriers to the use of bricolage in doctoral research and suggest ways to mitigate them such as the creation of institutional and discipline centred regulatory frameworks and practices. In sum, we advocate that the time is right to delve further into the utility of a holistic bricolage research approach in doctoral studies and reflect on some advantages of and barriers to its wider application.