Entangled Time Hops: Doomsday Clocks, Pandemics, and Qualitative Research's Responsibility

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Public Health
• Qualitative Research Methodology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected marginalized communities.
• Systemic racism has been exacerbated by the global health crisis.
• Existing research frameworks may be insufficient to address the interconnectedness of these pandemics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the micro- and macro-level implications of the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and racism.
• To investigate the potential of qualitative research in understanding complex social and health phenomena.
• To propose new responsive frameworks for addressing entangled human and material realities.

Main Methods:

• Utilizes a narrative structure inspired by Barad's concept of "timehops."
• Integrates personal, national, and international stories.
• Employs qualitative research methodologies to analyze lived experiences and systemic issues.

Main Results:

• Demonstrates the interwoven nature of public health crises and social injustices.
• Reveals how "timehops" can illuminate the multi-layered impacts of pandemics.
• Underscores the critical role of narrative in qualitative inquiry for understanding complex entanglements.

Conclusions:

• Qualitative research offers vital perspectives on the interconnected impacts of COVID-19 and racism.
• New theoretical and methodological approaches are needed to address complex global challenges.
• Understanding entanglements is crucial for developing effective and equitable responses to pandemics and social injustice.