What are we doing here? Confessional tales of non-disabled researchers in disability sport

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the experiences of non-disabled researchers in disability sport contexts. Following a review of non-disabled researchers’ accounts of entering and navigating these spaces, the chapter presents two confessional tales from our own research experiences. The chapter then demystifies aspects of the research process by discussing three issues that have been particularly interesting and/or challenging for us as non-disabled researchers: 1) positionality; 2) asking about impairment; and 3) giving back. In doing so, the chapter adds to important methodological discussions and provides a foundation for dialogue and debate between disabled and non-disabled researchers and their disabled co-researchers or research participants.