The Case for Using Duoethnography to Explore Complex Concepts Such as Identity

In this case study, we reflect on our experiences of adopting duoethnography to explore our personal journeys in cultivating our professional identities as academics. Duoethnography is an approach to research that involves two or more researchers engaging in polyvocal dialogue on a topic of mutual interest. As a nascent methodology which evolved from autoethnography, duoethnography is not bound by rigid rules but rather a set of guiding principles which are referred to as tenets. Throughout the case study we explore how these tenets informed our research design, implementation and write up. We reflect on the ethical challenges of engaging in emotive conversations with another, highlighting the importance of trust in the duoethnographic relationship. We debate the benefits and challenges we encountered during our first duoethnography and put forward suggestions for others who may be interested in adopting duoethnography for their own research. We aim to enhance readers’ understanding of duoethnography as a powerful method for critical reflection and sense-making of complex social phenomena. The guiding principles not only encourage readers to engage in dialogue about their practices but also offer a flexible yet systematic framework for data generation, analysis, and deriving meaningful outcomes.