Critical observational drawing in geography: Towards a methodology for ‘vulnerable’ research

Abstract

Recent years have seen increasing experimentation with drawing as a first-hand method for observation, reflection, and analysis in critical geographical research. Interestingly, much of this work comes from scholars who in various ways are working from the margins, and use drawing in part to interrogate their own positionalities within the research environment. These experiments to date remain somewhat tentative and underdeveloped as methodological propositions. This article therefore reviews recent geographical use of observational drawing by situating it within a broader argument for ‘vulnerable’ methodologies in geographical research, to both amplify current innovative advances and offer direction to their future elaboration.