ABSTRACT
This chapter delves into the practicalities of conducting qualitative interviews with supporters of populist parties and movements. Based on experiences of conducting interviews for a multi-country research project, this chapter addresses the issue of engaging with populist voters, a demographic traditionally sceptical of academic research. It discusses recruitment strategies, experiences of mistrust and hostility, and the necessity of adjusting to changing circumstances when interviewing representatives of certain hard-to-reach groups. Additionally, the chapter presents innovative methodologies, such as a combination of images, videos, news articles, or research, for fostering discussions on politically sensitive topics. It highlights the strengths and challenges of remote interviewing, including technological barriers and the difficulty in establishing rapport. The chapter also explores ethical considerations and the potential biases that researchers may encounter. Overall, this chapter provides a resource for researchers pursuing qualitative studies with the intent of conducting interviews with a hard-to-reach population and on sensitive topics. The discussion on challenges and limitations aims to prepare researchers for the complexities of such endeavours, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the field.
