Research and relationalities

In this symposium, we explore ways of understanding and researching relationships and relationalities. Within psychological research, relationships are often conceptualised in quite abstract ways - as interpersonal process, characterised by qualities like 'intimacy', 'love', and 'friendship' which are difficult to define and difficult to measure. In this paper, we explore relationality within research, therapeutic and family contexts. We consider relationality as contextual, as embodied and as embedded in social practices and physical spaces. We argue that this embodied and embedded relationality cannot easily be captured through either the traditional methods of empirical psychology, or the orthodox oral and textual nature of much qualitative research. We explore a range of creative methods and their implications for an understanding of relationality. Fellin and Goodgame explore how creative and systemic therapeutic tools might be used and understood in research. Capewell considers how combining phenomenological and photovoice methods might enable an articulation of relationship that challenges medical orthodoxy, in families where a child has ‘glue ear’. Turner explores how ‘othering’ might be conceptualized within a transpersonal understanding of relationality in psychotherapy. Owton closes the symposium with an exploration of friendship in research relationships; 'tales from the field' explore some of the challenges encountered when attempting to negotiate the demands of the dual researcher-friend role