Carnival of Aros - Open Questions for Aromantic Research
This month has been a little bonkers for me as I come to the end of my Master’s degree, but perhaps it’s fitting that August 2020′s prompt for the Carnival of Aros aligns with the culmination of my research.
As always, my (very many) thoughts are under Keep Reading.
The first thing I thought when I saw this prompt was: “Do I have to formulate an actual fancy official set of Research Questions??” If grad school has taught me anything, it’s that research questions are incredibly difficult to pin down, and they’re always changing as the research is undertaken. The aro community, especially, has rapidly changing terms as we try to figure out our place in the world.
So, instead of creating Actual Research Questions (TM) - because I’m quite burnt out with my own for grad school already, hahaha - I’m going to give some general ideas.
In-Progress and Previous Surveys (a.k.a. Neir Is Trying Really Hard Not To Write A Literature Review)
It is maybe a little silly to be brainstorming future research when I haven’t finished analyses for the 2019 surveys I was a part of. Since I started aro research, I’ve been learning a lot about the community, and we’ve even managed to get a first aro census out there. That’s three in-progress in-depth surveys that include aro individuals.
I’ve run a couple of iterations on aro stigmatization + microagressions (see #arospec stigma survey tags). Things like discovering one’s aro identity and just general demographics are covered in the #a-spec identity survey and the aro census.
There is also research I’ve seen on various aro experiences, aro relationships, aro activism, amatonormativity, and mental health. Full disclosure, I help manage AUREA’s Research resource page so whenever I hear about something, chances are it’ll get posted there.
Future Exploratory Research
I think there is a tonne of exploratory research that we need to do, some of which will have to be done over as the aro community and the environment around us change. I think the most important thing with this research is to listen to what aros want. There are a lot of sub-communities and identities under the aro umbrella, and even others that are in a gray zone that might not be picked up by usual aro research.
In terms of what I would personally love to run on the exploratory side of things, I’d like to investigate:
the experiences of individuals who relate to the aro community but do not [always] see themselves as a part of it
the intersection of aromanticism with disability, neurodivergence, and other demographic factors - how these might affect aros and their wellbeing in different ways
the history of aro voices in the Discourse Era
the evolution of aro terminology
the evolution of aro communities in different countries
the relationship between the aro community and other Queer communities (i.e., comparative studies)
Of course, seeing aro representation in academic studies not specifically focused on aromanticism or orientation would be wonderful. Figuring out how to word surveys and instructions to be inclusive to aros is perhaps its own study.
Future Interventionist Research
I have also been thinking about interventionist research. As the aro community grows and connects globally, our activism grows with us. More of us are out and about, talking about aromanticism, giving speeches, presenting workshops, and interacting with people who usually aren’t anywhere near our circles.
I’d like to have researchers document how aros go about their activism, particularly in different locales, so that we can take inspiration.
How can we leverage both online and offline activism to different ends? How can we connect the online and offline spheres? How can we connect aros internationally, through language barriers? What makes an effective awareness campaign? Where have we seen success and where have we seen failure? What can we learn for future ASAW and Pride events?
What kinds of partnerships are particularly effective for allyship? How can we team up with other marginalized individuals and work towards the same goals? Who would be best to reach out to first?
What kinds of aro-friendly programs or policies can we try out in our local communities? Do they succeed or fail? Why? What can we learn before confronting the bigger fish?
Testing things out is always better sooner rather than later. This way, we can build up momentum as a community and be ready when we find an opportunity to make a big policy push.
The great thing about a young field is its potential for new researchers. I personally can’t wait to see what the community comes up with over the years, and I look forward to meeting you all at some sort of conference someday. :)
