Abstract
This chapter combines ethnography, autobiography, literature, and political science. Autoethnography refers to using self-reflection to explore anecdotal and personal experience, and connecting this story to wider cultural, political, and social meanings and understandings. However, political scientists are holding out against autoethnography—that is, they avoid the personal, especially the emotional aspects of their lives. This chapter tells the story of how I first failed and then succeeded in getting a Ph.D. It then reflects on the personal, political, and broader implications of my story. It suggests five lessons for political scientists who need:
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To be wary of detachment and accept that every research project is personal by keeping the self and lived experience up-front and centre in research.
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To confront our emotions, stress, and relationships in fieldwork.
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To be more critically self-aware—reflexive.
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To explore the self in administration, research, and teaching.
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To become better writers.
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Notes
- 1.
I would like to thank the Arts and Humanities Research Council (Grant No. AH/NOO6712/1) for supporting the Blurring Genres seminar series. This chapter arises out of discussions at these seminars. See https://www.ulster.ac.uk/faculties/arts-humanities-and-social-sciences/schools/applied-social-policy-sciences/research/blurring-genres. I must also thank John Boswell, Jack Corbett, Jenny Fleming, and Susan Hodgett for their advice on the first draft. A draft was presented to the panel on ‘Notions of Narratives in Troubling Times’, Political Studies Association International Conference, Cardiff, 26–28 March 2018. I thank the participants for their advice and comments.
- 2.
With apologies to TISM’s song ‘All Homeboys Are Dickheads’ on their CD, Machiavelli and the Four Seasons (1995).
- 3.
On autoethnography generally, see Adams et al. (2014), especially Chapter 6 for an extensive bibliography , Anderson (2006), Chang (2008), Denzin (2006), Ellis (2004), Ellis and Bochner (2000), Jones (2005), Krieger (1991), and the symposium in the Journal of Contemporary Ethnography 35 (4) 2006. On autoethnography and working in a university, see Humphreys (2005), Richardson (1997), Sparkes (2007), and Smith (2013). On autoethnography and political science, see Burnier (2006). On thematic analysis, see Braun and Clarke (2006). On plots, see Booker (2005) and White (1987).
- 4.
- 5.
I do not know of any guide to writing political science or comparative politics (but see Boswell et al. 2019). On writing social science , see Becker (2007), Mills (1970: 215–248), Sword (2012), and Wildavsky (2010: chapter 10). Sword (2012: chapter 3) provides a guide to some 100 style guides as well as providing her own excellent advice.
- 6.
I would like to thank Janet Boddy for her advice on, and suggested reading for, this section on music.
- 7.
The track is on Blood and Chocolate (#16 1986) and there is a live performance at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGZC2h5VVA8.
- 8.
- 9.
See https://www.dartstatement.org/. Last accessed 7 June 2019.
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Rhodes, R.A.W. (2021). Autoethnography as Narrative in Political Studies. In: Rhodes, R., Hodgett, S. (eds) What Political Science Can Learn from the Humanities . Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-51697-0_5
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