"Punctuation, pause, next slide, please" : the risks of research and self-disclosure

This chapter explores topical, interpersonal, and methodological risk in collaborative research relationships. Applying the notion of “research as relationship” (Ceglowski, Qualitative Inquiry, 6, 88–103, 2000), we contend that collaborative research represents “a high-risk research environment” (Costley, Elliot, & Gibbs, Doing work based research: Approaches to inquiry for insider researchers, Sage Publications, p. 6, 2010). The chapter uses autoethnography, poetry, art, and photography to explore research as “risky business.” We contend that, when a shared framework and language are embraced, collaborative research has the potential for co-learning, eliciting new knowledge and perspectives. Necessitating openness, honesty, respect, and commitment, we argue that, while challenging, collaborative research can be transformative.