ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author highlights some of the early anxieties related to his role as a researcher and his anticipation of what was to come in his research project. He addresses some of the impact the research project has had on himself through the development of relationships and his growth in confidence as a researcher. His research project aimed to engage with non-authorised heritage discourses in addition to authorised heritage discourse. He have used a phenomenological methodological approach which embraces the role of our bodies and emotions in understanding landscape meanings. An aim of his methodological approach was to work towards representing the participants’ varying uses and opinions about the park. His research journal identifies that, from his perspective at least, he had developed an affective engagement with two participants (Helen and Gareth). As the participant reactions of Ruth and Derek demonstrate, his approach also fostered trust and appreciation by engaging with participants on their own terms.
