From Metaphors to Figurations: Experiencing ‘Margin’, ‘Centre’ and ‘Resistance’ in the Ethnographic Field and Beyond
Abstract
This paper examines ‘margin’, ‘centre’, and ‘resistance’ as metaphors that move beyond abstraction, becoming historical and political figurations that interrogate ethnographic methodologies. Through the analysis of their application in two different research contexts – antiracism in Switzerland and popular education in Bogotá – it explores the interplay between their contextual articulation and creative writing. Inspired by feminist writing, the paper advocates for an approach that bridges different levels of understanding through ‘ConversA(c)tion’, embracing multiple layers of meaning.
Submitted: Feb. 13, 2025 | Accepted: June 6, 2025 | Published Nov. 14, 2025 | Language: en
Keywords Feminist writing • Ethnography • Metaphors • Figurations • Creative writing • Decolonization
Copyright © 2025 Elsa Gios, Nabila Tavolieri. This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction is permitted, provided that the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. The license allows for commercial use. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Permalink http://doi.org/10.30687/AnnOr/2385-3042/2025/03/005