Methodological & Theoretical Innovations for Researching Veterans

This roundtable explored the significance of methodological and theoretical innovation in advancing veterans studies as an interdisciplinary field. Traditional research on veterans has often relied on narrow, deficit-based models that fail to account for the diversity and complexity of veteran identities and experiences. By integrating critical theoretical frameworks, the participants argue for a more inclusive, reflexive, and ethically grounded approach to veteran research. These innovations challenge dominant narratives and enhance the field’s capacity to inform policy, elevate marginalized voices, and engage veterans as co-creators of knowledge instead of research subjects.