Progress, Power and Possibilities: 20 Years of the Qualitative Methods Section

…Ella Rhodes talks the history of qualitative methods, and the Section's anniversary conference in Leeds this summer, with members of the QMiP committee:

Dr William Day, Teaching Associate at Aston University, Birmingham, QMiP Oral History Lead ([email protected])

Dr Philippa Carr, Senior Lecturer at the University of the West of England, Bristol, QMiP Conference Co-Chair ([email protected])

Dr Laura Kilby, Professor of Discursive Psychology at the University of the West of Scotland, QMiP Committee Co-Chair ([email protected])

Dr Candice Whitaker, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Leeds Trinity University, QMiP Conference Co-Chair ([email protected]) 

How has the landscape of qualitative research in psychology evolved since QMiP's inception? Were there particular challenges in getting qualitative methods recognised and valued in psychology, and do any of those challenges persist? 

WD: The QMiP Committee is fortunate to have really good Early Career Researcher (ECR) representation. Writing as an ECR, I feel very grateful for the 'battles' fought by our more experienced colleagues. The impression we get is one of a struggle for 'legitimacy' on its own terms; that qualitative research was regularly dismissed as lacking a utility, or considered as a misplaced form of journalism. That is not to say that these concerns have been definitively resolved. We are aware that history rarely repeats itself, but it does often rhyme. Debates around the function and role of qualitative research within the Open Science movement is one example of how new discourses can determine and shape research norms. 

To reflect on what qualitative research(ers) have achieved, we are hosting a QMiP oral history event in May. Joined by colleagues from archivists from the History of Psychology Centre, many previous (and current) QMiP chairs will reflect on QMiP's legacy, the impact of our committee's leadership and the potential futures for qualitative research in psychology. Taking place on 23 May, this online event is free to attend for all QMiP members. 

Could you tell me about your 20th anniversary conference – what key themes or topics are being highlighted and why were they chosen? 

PC: The theme of the conference is '20 Years of QMiP: Progress, Power and Possibilities'. We felt that this captured the development of qualitative research in psychology over the last 20 years and possibilities for the future. The power of qualitative research Is that it allows us to explore the richness of human experience in-depth and gain insight to social justice issues. The conference theme also provides space to discuss how QMiP can support qualitative researchers now and in the future.

CW: Progress, Power, and Possibilities, was carefully chosen to reflect not only the evolution of qualitative methods within psychology but also their broader societal impact. Progress speaks to both the growing recognition of qualitative research in psychology and the real-world advancements it has enabled, from social justice initiatives to policy changes that have improved lives. Power is not just about the academic legitimacy qualitative methods now command, but also about the transformative power of research to enact meaningful change in communities. Finally, Possibilities underscores what lies ahead – how we can continue leveraging qualitative inquiry to drive positive change, with this conference serving as a catalyst for new collaborations, networks, and mentorship opportunities that support our thriving and innovative network to continue contributing to a better society.

Could you tell me about any particular highlights in your conference programme? 

PC: We have three excellent keynote speakers, Virginia Braun, Paul Flowers and Kesi Mahendran, who have contributed to developments in qualitative psychology over the last 20 years. 

With Victoria Clarke, Virginia Braun has developed Reflexive Thematic Analysis as a popular method for researchers in psychology and other disciplines. Their book Thematic Analysis: A Practical Guide won a BPS award in 2022. Virginia Braun has contributed to critical feminist research in her research exploring the social construction of vaginas and body hair.  

Paul Flowers has been a key player in the development of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. His book with co-authors Jonathan Smith and Michael Larkin, IPA: Theory, Method and Research, is popular with both students and researchers to guide them through the research process. Paul's research has an important social justice focus exploring gay men's experiences and sexual health.

Kesi Mahendran is a founding member of the BPS Political Psychology section. She established the Public Dialogue Psychology Collaboratory in 2020 providing space and leadership for researchers interested in how citizens and governments interact. Kesi has shown through her research how qualitative research can explore important and divisive issues such as immigration and the rise of populist nationalism.

We will also be hosting an expert panel from the Teaching Qualitative Psychology group on the new subject benchmark for Psychology and BPS accreditation criteria. Cath Sullivan, Elida Cena, Alasdair Gordon-Finlayson, Julie Hulme and Hilary McDermott will be sharing their expertise on teaching qualitative methods in a session that will be useful for Early Career Researchers getting into teaching and more experienced academic staff.

Over the past year QMiP have worked with the BPS Research and Analysis Team to undertake a research project to understand the experiences and needs of qualitative researchers from racially minoritised backgrounds, and to help us understand how to ensure QMiP is responding to those needs and working to be as inclusive as possible. We will be running a session at the conference to help communicate those findings and also to help us move into a more active phase of developing QMiP in response to the findings of that research.

Are there any sessions particularly aimed at students/early-career researchers? 

CW: The conference is for researchers at all career stages, and we are committed to supporting students and early career researchers (ECRs). This year, we are excited to host a special session dedicated to showcasing and celebrating outstanding student and ECR qualitative research. It is a fantastic opportunity to share work, gain valuable feedback, and engage with both peers and experienced researchers in a welcoming and supportive environment.

That said, the entire conference is built on the spirit of collaboration and knowledge-sharing, making it a great space for researchers at every stage to connect, learn, and contribute. Whether presenting, attending sessions, or networking, you'll find a diverse and engaging community where both new and established voices in qualitative psychology are celebrated. 

Looking ahead to the next 20 years, what do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges for qualitative research in psychology? 

LK: I wonder about the challenges and opportunities that technology presents for the future of qualitative research methods. So much of what we do involves 'getting our hands dirty' with our data. We use forms of analysis that are deliberately slow, immersive and intentional. We need to think about how we maintain the value of our analytic processes in the face of technological and digital innovation, including AI. At the same time, we need to be open to the opportunities that exist for qualitative methods and be willing to use our capacity for creativity and playfulness, take risks with technology and continue to work around the edges of what we already embrace. 

I also think that we need to do more to ensure that qualitative methods are used to help shape research agendas in the global South. Qualitative psychologists are often the voices in the room that query the taken for granted epistemological and ontological assumptions that underpin the start point of research. Particularly with the continued growth of Team science and opportunities to collect huge datasets from culturally and geographically diverse populations, we need qualitative researchers in the mix, helping to shape the questions we ask as well as the methods of enquiry.  

- Find more information on the QMiP conference and register now. See also this oral history event.