“No but where are you really from?”: Critically examining reflexivity through field notes from a feminist psychological research in Turkey

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Reflexivity, which refers to the process of recognising the researcher's identity, role, assumptions, and impact on the research process, has become a common practice in feminist psychological research. In this article, I trace the evolution of reflexivity within psychology, including its roots in feminist critiques of objectivity, the application of intersectionality and decolonising frameworks to psychology, and the critical engagement with power in the research process. Through my field notes from a feminist ethnography focusing on women's freedom dreams in Turkey, I provide insights into the complexities of reflexivity and the researcher–participant relationalities that push back against U.S.-centric conceptualisations of the constructs. By emphasizing subtle moments of tension during fieldwork, I advocate a more nuanced and fluid understanding of intersectionality and power dynamics in research. I suggest embodying cultural–social humility and embracing radical listening as valuable foundational practices in conducting what Pillow calls uncomfortable reflexivity for fostering horizontal solidarities and resisting hierarchies, polarisations, and further stratifications across differences between researchers and participants.