It’s been a while i have written on the blog…when in my homeland i get so much distracted by so many issues on the side of the PhD that it is hard to find time to write. This is also due to the fact that i do not have much of a ‘personal space’ when in GR. However I have done two research interviews during the past few days. One with a Greek clinical psychologist who trained and practised in the UK and the US before returning to GR about 2 and a half years ago and another counsellor/psychotherapist who trained and worked in the UK, currently practising in Athens. They both offered very ‘rich’ data…i need to get my head down and do the transcriptions as the data is pilling up now and i need to keep on track with the process WHEN IT HAPPENS.

I am taking a plane soon…in a liminal space again…this is always followed by a mixture of feelings (excitement, frustration, tiredness, confict, relief, anticipation, fear, joy….so much contradiction really!)

As I am thinking about the choice of Heuristic Research as methodological stance for my PhD, I can see more and more the importance of reflexivity and acquiring a perspective and way of being at all stages of the research where i can find a balance between my ‘own story’ of the phenomenon I am exploring and that of the co-researchers. … Read more »

I feel the need to write down a brief summary of all the interviews i have done so far to get a clearer view of the broader picture.Here we are: … Read more »

Last week William introduced me to a colleague who is visiting the UK for a short period, after having immigrated to Canada (host culture) and working there as a therapist. This was such a unique opportunity to interview him for the research. We arranged to have an interview today. I feel amazed by how powerful a research interview can be, even when it is with somebody that you meet for the first time. So much rich data came out of the encounter and i feel enriched by it (although I notice that i tend to feel quite exhausted and hungry, after conducting a research interview…i guess it’s cause it involves deep processing and level of engaging). I wish i could dedicate time to hear the recording today and make notes about it but i know that i need to stay focused on preparing the panel presentation so, i have to postpone that for later. … Read more »

I spent most of the morning/afternoon today listening on the recording of the research interview with M. and remembered what an engaging process that is. I know that doing verbatim transcription is far more tiring…but listening to the tape and also keeping notes with a reflexive attitude is also very demanding (and interesting process). I  think a good point to keep in mind is that a researcher may be ‘catching’ into awareness different nuances each time he/she listens to the recording – depending on ‘where’ one is at that particular moment. Also. i have a sense that location place a role for some reason, maybe more so in my case where I am researching ‘culture’. … Read more »