Navigating Lived Experiences Part 1 – Tools for Understanding Your Lived Experiences
Linh Bui
Research is often seen as a process of collecting data, analyzing patterns, and presenting findings. However, in systems thinking, research is more than an academic exercise—it is a journey of self-awareness, learning, and contributing to systemic change. Engaging with a system not only shapes the research but also transforms the researcher.
A recent Map the System Canada workshop emphasized this shift, highlighting the importance of challenging assumptions, integrating diverse perspectives, and valuing lived experiences. A key insight from the workshop was the realization that researchers are not separate from the systems they study. Whether through lived experience, academic background, or worldview, every researcher is positioned within the system they are analyzing.
By incorporating tools like the Positionality Tool and Wheel of Power and Privilege, researchers can move beyond producing knowledge and actively participate in systems change. The research process becomes not just a way to document issues but a means to engage, reflect, and grow.
How to Overcome Common Pitfalls in Systems Research
The Wheel of Power & Privilege in the Canadian Context drawn from IRCC Anti-Racism Strategy 2.0
1. Use the Wheel of Power & Privilege to Recognize Bias & Blind Spots
Biases often go unrecognized, shaped by a researcher’s identity, background, and experiences. These biases can influence how they interpret data, frame questions, and interact with communities.
To address this, use the Wheel of Power & Privilege to map out your position within societal structures. The tool encourages researchers to identify their privileges and challenges, helping them become more aware of how their identity influences their work. By reflecting on these power dynamics, researchers can critically assess the lens through which they view their research, minimizing unintended biases.
2. Use the Positionality Tool to Expand Your Learning Journey
Too often, research focuses solely on generating outcomes such as papers or reports, sidelining the personal learning process.
To overcome this, use the Positionality Tool to reflect on your own assumptions, biases, and experiences. This tool encourages researchers to consider how their perspectives shape their approach to research and to remain open to new insights and learning. Researchers should view the research process as a journey that can challenge their own views, reshape their assumptions, and expand their understanding of complex issues. Engaging in this reflection ensures that the process is just as impactful for the researcher as it is for the wider community.
3. Use the Wheel of Power & Privilege and Positionality Tool to Ensure Depth & Representation
Relying too heavily on familiar sources or perspectives can result in missing the voices of those most impacted by an issue.
To ensure depth and representation, use the Wheel of Power & Privilege to identify who may be excluded from the conversation. This tool helps researchers recognize gaps in representation and prompts them to actively seek out marginalized or underrepresented voices. Coupling this with the Positionality Tool, researchers can ensure they are aware of their own positionality and the impact this may have on whom they listen to and how they interpret information. By being intentional about representation, researchers can ensure a more holistic, inclusive, and accurate understanding of the issue.
4. Use the Wheel of Power & Privilege and Positionality Tool to Navigate Complexity
Systems research often involves dealing with interconnected issues, power structures, and historical contexts that can be overwhelming.
To navigate this complexity, use the Wheel of Power & Privilege to help clarify the power structures at play. This tool aids researchers in mapping out how different forces—such as political, economic, and social—interact within the system. Understanding these power dynamics allows researchers to focus on the most relevant factors and avoid being overwhelmed by the complexity. The Positionality Tool helps researchers assess how their own background influences their focus within this complexity, encouraging them to be conscious of what they prioritize in their research and how they interact with the systems they study.
5. Use the Positionality Tool to Bridge the Gap Between Research & Real-World Impact
Often, research remains confined to academic circles without translating into real-world change.
To bridge this gap, use the Positionality Tool to situate yourself within the system you’re researching. By reflecting on your role and your accountability to various stakeholders, you can better understand the implications of your research. The tool encourages researchers to consider the ethical dimensions of their work, ensuring that their findings lead to meaningful action rather than just academic outputs. This reflection fosters action-oriented research that directly engages with the communities affected by the studied issues, ensuring that research leads to real-world impact.
