The mascot researcher - Identity, power, and knowledge in fieldwork

In this article, the author examines issues of power and situated knowledge in fieldwork by reflecting on her own research experience in Uzbekistan. S he argues that playing the mascot researcher role can cause field-workers t o feet they have lost control over their identities and the direction of th eir work. On the other hand, mascots are given special attention and access because of their gender, race, nationality, or guest status. In addition t o analyzing the dynamics of the mascot researcher role, she specifies the e ffects that this role had on her access to information as well as on the co nclusions she drew about Uzbek national culture. She concludes that field-w orkers need to explicitly analyze their knowledge about their research topi cs in terms of their relationships with informants.