Abstract
This paper outlines the potential for a more “humble geography.” Most of us have been awed in some way by the world, humbled, but how often is that reflected in our work as geographers? As a thinking tool, “humble geographies” can combine insights and ethics from posthuman and feminist philosophies, participatory action research, and situated knowledges. Humility could helpfully contribute in debates seeking to improve geographic research practice. Humility, a quiet virtue, has potential to inspire change in the ways we relate with others and our institutions. Drawing on research experiences in the high Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, I give some examples of humble geographies in practice that raise questions about the ideal balance between authority and humility. How can we be humble in the face of rising pressures to sell ourselves and our research as highly impactful and important – in short, anything but humble? My aim is to open a discussion as to how we can helpfully inject more humility into our work.
Highlights
I was humbled by the cold, but it was humility that caught me unawares and cut the social ice
Many of the traits outlined above as contributing to humility resonate with tenets of good research practice: being open‐ minded and teachable, recognising others’ roles, being outward‐looking with a larger‐than‐self‐perspective, and being willing to accurately assess our limitations, positions, and knowledge
A humble researcher is willing to tell backstories, hold theories and research “goals” in proxy, and embrace the accompanying “mess” and failures (Harrowell et al, 2018). They are willing to concede their shortcomings and the partial, contingent nature of the knowledge they co‐produce. They remain teachable, motivated to improve, develop, and continue to question how we tell research stories and share co‐produced knowledge in ways that reflect a humble position without becoming an invisible witness
Summary
Funding information Research Councils UK > Economic and Social Research Council. This paper outlines the potential for a more “humble geography.” Most of us have been awed in some way by the world, humbled, but how often is that reflected in our work as geographers? As a thinking tool, “humble geographies” can combine insights and ethics from posthuman and feminist philosophies, participatory action research, and situated knowledges. This paper outlines the potential for a more “humble geography.”. Most of us have been awed in some way by the world, humbled, but how often is that reflected in our work as geographers? “humble geographies” can combine insights and ethics from posthuman and feminist philosophies, participatory action research, and situated knowledges. Humility could helpfully contribute in debates seeking to improve geographic research practice. A quiet virtue, has potential to inspire change in the ways we relate with others and our institutions. Drawing on research experiences in the high Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, I give some examples of humble geographies in practice that raise questions about the ideal balance between authority and humility. KEYWORDS humble geographies, humility, knowledge production, neoliberal university, research ethics, Svalbard
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