The mascot researcher - Identity, power, and knowledge in fieldwork

In this article, the author examines issues of power and situated knowledge in fieldwork by reflecting on her own research experience in Uzbekistan. She argues that playing the mascot researcher role can cause field-workers to feet they have lost control over their identities and the direction of their work. On the other hand, mascots are given special attention and access because of their gender, race, nationality, or guest status. In addition to analyzing the dynamics of the mascot researcher role, she specifies the effects that this role had on her access to information as well as on the conclusions she drew about Uzbek national culture. She concludes that field-workers need to explicitly analyze their knowledge about their research topics in terms of their relationships with informants.