Pivot, Pivot, Pivot– Navigating PhD Research on Lgbtqia+ Creative Professionals During a Pandemic

Abstract

This article outlines an experiential journey of undertaking PhD research during the Covid-19 pandemic. The PhD project seeks to explore LGBTQIA+ professional’s experience of working in the screen industries in Northern Ireland and associations with their mental health and wellbeing. The current study began in September 2019, six months prior to the March 2020 lockdown, which impacted the study’s two-tier sequential qualitative approach consisting of interviews and a photovoice project. The study is ongoing at the time of publication. This article describes how the original study plans were adjusted across the course of the PhD due to the coronavirus pandemic, in light of challenges such as low response rates despite extensive recruitment strategies, and adjustments within the research design. Global events combined with working with an underreached and under-researched group brought about challenges to ensuring PhD progress and meeting research aims. The article ends with reflection on this journey, acknowledging the importance of supportive supervisors and university systems, and the learning and development that has been facilitated which serves to build researcher resilience.