Browsing by Author "Sesma-Vazquez, Monica"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Capturing the shadow and light of researcher positionality: A picture-prompted poly-ethnography
    (Sage Publications, 2020-12-10) Kassan, Anusha; Nutter, Sarah; Arthur, Nancy; Green, Amy R.; Russell-Mayhew, Shelly; Sesma-Vazquez, Monica
    Acknowledging researcher positionality and engaging in ongoing reflexivity are important components of qualitative research. In this manuscript, we share our experiences of examining our positionality and engaging in reflexive practice related to a research project with newcomer women in Canada. As a team of researchers from diverse backgrounds, we engaged in a picture-prompted poly-ethnographic conversation to better understand our attitudes, assumptions, and biases in relation to the topic of our research and gain a better understanding of what were asking of participants. Using thematic analysis, we uncovered four themes: 1) researchers bring multiple identities, 2) researchers bring privilege/power, 3) understanding what we call home, and 4) walking in participants’ shoes. We discuss these themes in detail, highlighting their implications for reflexive research with newcomer communities.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Employing Polyethnography to Navigate Researcher Positionality on Weight Bias
    (NSUWorks - The Qualitative Report, 2017-05-20) Arthur, Nancy; Lund, Darren E.; Russell-Mayhew, Shelly; Nutter, Sarah; Williams, Emily; Sesma-Vazquez, Monica; Kassan, Anusha
    Researchers often focus on the content of their research interests but, depending on the research approach, may pay less attention to the process of locating themselves in relation to the research topic. This paper outlines the dialogue between an interdisciplinary team of researchers who were at the initial stages of forming a research agenda related to weight bias and social justice. Using a polyethnographic approach to guide our discussion, we sought to explore the diverse and common life experiences that influenced our professional interests for pursuing research on weight bias. As a dialogic method, polyethnography is ideally suited for the reflexive work required of researchers seeking to address issues of equity and social justice. Beyond more traditional approaches such as journaling, personal interviews, or researcher notes, the intersubjectivity highlighted by this method affords a richer space for exploration, challenging ideas, taking risks, and collectively interrogating both self and society. Following a discussion of positionality, the dialogue between researchers is presented, followed by their critique of the discussion, informed by professional literature.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Positioning of Weight Bias: Moving towards Social Justice
    (Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2016-09-22) Nutter, Sarah; Russell-Mayhew, Shelly; Alberga, Angela S.; Arthur, Nancy; Kassan, Anusha; Lund, Darren E.; Sesma-Vazquez, Monica; Williams, Emily
    Weight bias is a form of stigma with detrimental effects on the health and wellness of individuals with large bodies. Researchers from various disciplines have recognized weight bias as an important topic for public health and for professional practice. To date, researchers from various areas have approached weight bias from independent perspectives and from differing theoretical orientations. In this paper, we examined the similarities and differences between three perspectives (i.e., weight-centric, nonweight- centric (health-centric), and health at every size) used to understand weight bias and approach weight bias research with regard to (a) language about people with large bodies, (b) theoretical position, (c) identified consequences of weight bias, and (d) identified influences on weight-based social inequity. We suggest that, despite differences, each perspective acknowledges the negative influences that position weight as being within individual control and the negative consequences of weight bias.We call for recognition and discussion ofweight bias as a social justice issue in order to change the discourse and professional practices extended towards individuals with large bodies. We advocate for an emphasis on social justice as a uniting framework for interdisciplinary research on weight bias.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Positioning of Weight Bias: Moving towards Social Justice
    (2016-09-22) Nutter, Sarah; Russell-Mayhew, Shelly; Alberga, Angela S.; Arthur, Nancy; Kassan, Anusha; Lund, Darren E.; Sesma-Vazquez, Monica; Williams, Emily
    Weight bias is a form of stigma with detrimental effects on the health and wellness of individuals with large bodies. Researchers from various disciplines have recognized weight bias as an important topic for public health and for professional practice. To date, researchers from various areas have approached weight bias from independent perspectives and from differing theoretical orientations. In this paper, we examined the similarities and differences between three perspectives (i.e., weight-centric, non-weight-centric (health-centric), and health at every size) used to understand weight bias and approach weight bias research with regard to (a) language about people with large bodies, (b) theoretical position, (c) identified consequences of weight bias, and (d) identified influences on weight-based social inequity. We suggest that, despite differences, each perspective acknowledges the negative influences that position weight as being within individual control and the negative consequences of weight bias. We call for recognition and discussion of weight bias as a social justice issue in order to change the discourse and professional practices extended towards individuals with large bodies. We advocate for an emphasis on social justice as a uniting framework for interdisciplinary research on weight bias.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Where Does Culture Fit in? A Discourse Analysis of Intercultural Couples’ Talk
    (2020-04-30) Lopez Bilbao, Sofia Belen; Strong, Tom; Sesma-Vazquez, Monica; Boon, Susan D.
    The number of intercultural couples in Canada has been on the rise in the last few decades, making it increasingly likely that family counsellors will work with such clients. There is extensive research outlining the challenges that intercultural couples face due to their cultural differences. This study adopts a strengths-focused approach to study intercultural couples, by recruiting self-defined healthy intercultural couples. In this research I studied the way that couples conversationally construct their experiences of being in an intercultural relationship. Seven intercultural couples were interviewed as to the role that culture plays in their relationship. I approached this research from a social constructionist paradigm, and used Potter and Wetherell’s (1987) method of discourse analysis. Couples spoke from three interpretative repertoires when they constructed the role of culture in their relationship: (a) culture isn’t defining, (b) culture plays a part sometimes, and (c) cultural differences add to the relationship. The results indicate that healthy intercultural couples acknowledge cultural differences but they do not make them central to their relationship. The results are discussed in the context of the available literature, and they are used to make recommendations for practice and further research.