ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book demonstrates the wide ranging history of critical qualitative work by engaging with the broad-based history of the field of qualitative inquiry as well as providing examples from both feminist and postcolonial research literatures. Lucy Bailey and Mary Margaret Fonow focus on feminist histories and methodologies of research. Maggie MacLure considers the implications for critical qualitative inquiry in the recent return to materiality in theoryin work that goes under the names of feminist materialism, the new empiricisms, and posthuman studies. Penny Pasque and Michelle Salazar Prez focus on determining if/how research can be made critical. Mark Nagasawa and Beth Swadener discuss how to conduct politically activist scholarship by reflecting upon the centrality of mentoring relationships in promoting activism. The book focuses on important personal and historical experiences and commitments, examples of contemporary research practices, and visions for the future.
