Writing the Borderlands of Desire and Distance:

Abstract

This article explores the intricate dance between desire and distance in ethnographic research and creative practice, advocating for the inclusion of love letters as a methodological tool for critically articulating individual and collective desires. Grounded in the authors’ experiences at a workshop held during the 2023 PARSE conference, the text delves into the genealogy of desire in research, situating love letters within a framework of intimacy and vulnerability. Drawing on diverse academic backgrounds, the authors reflect on the intersections of personal and professional realms, emphasizing the ethical imperative of acknowledging researchers’ subjective experiences. Through a deep dive into the workshop’s planning process and its enactment, the article elucidates the transformative potential of love letters as a means of fostering connection and understanding within academic and creative communities. This article invites readers to reconsider traditional research methodologies and embrace the tender work of love letter writing in their own practice.

Keywords

• creative practice
• desire-based research
• ethnography
• love letters
• methods