Complexity of Ethics and Positionality in Searching for the Multigenerational Identity and Agency of British Muslim Women

This paper explores multiplicity of identity and agency of British Muslim women, offering a comprehensive analysis of how religiosity and identity are shaped and negotiated in a Muslim minority context. The research employs feminist epistemology, and a qualitative method utilised 43 life history interviews with diversity of participants in Newcastle upon Tyne and Glasgow, with particular attention to the positionality of the researcher. The dynamics of gatekeeper and snowballing methods with researcher positionality. As an outsider/insider navigating shared religious and cultural ties, the researcher’s own identity and relationship with diverse participants are critically reflected upon throughout the study, influencing access to communities and the interpretation of data. Additionally, ethical dilemmas around maintaining confidentiality, managing power dynamics, and negotiating participants’ concerns about social desirability and prejudice are central to the research process. Ensuring the ethical integrity of the study required a careful balance between building trust with participants while avoiding imposing biases, particularly in light of the heightened sensitivities surrounding Muslim identities in minority contexts.

This paper contributes to ongoing discussions on the complexities of studying identity and religiosity in minority settings, addressing the critical challenges of methodological design, ethical considerations, and researcher positionality. By exploring how British Muslim women across generations express their religious identities and agency, this study sheds light on the diverse and evolving nature of religiosity and identity formation in Muslim minority communities.