The Spatial Politics of Affect and Emotion in Participatory GIS

Abstract

Researchers have traditionally used participatory geographic information systems (PGIS) projects to inject indigenous voices into the political sphere as they work for various legal rights. Due to their participatory nature, however, these projects can also have complex effects on the emotional and affective well-being of participating communities. This article examines how the authors' participatory research with the Maijuna people of the Peruvian Amazon resulted in many positive, affective, and emotional results outside of the final map product. Although the project was initiated as an attempt to produce a map that the Maijuna could use in pursuit of land rights, methodological choices made by the authors also produced positive emotions in participants, political bonding, and community-wide education. While their importance to the political momentum of marginalized communities cannot be overstated, geographers have yet to fully problematize the relationship between these affective and emotional results and their own methodological choices. This article argues that researchers should begin engaging in more affective and emotional thinking when constructing their research methodologies, to both improve the results of their project and to mitigate potential problems.