Positionality

Sharing what shapes my lens

It is important to highlight the ontological base of one’s methodologies, choice of which findings we highlight and potential implications of the results and conclusions we draw by calling attention to one’s positionality (Poirier, Haag, Soares, & Jamieson, 2023). It’s been suggested that the lack of positioning and subsequent subjectivity may even result in interventions and conclusions that do not consider the causes of inequities (Poirier, Haag, Soares, & Jamieson, 2023). 

To share my own positionality in relation to my studies in the health field, I am a Caucasian female of French and Irish ancestors who came to Canada at least three generations ago.  I am certain I have benefited from the privilege in being a part of the visible majority in Canada.  I am married, I am a mother, a sister, a daughter, and a friend.

I grew up in a small farming community in Ontario with a family structure of a mother, father and two siblings.  The town I was raised in was very homogenous, and the schools I attended were similar.    I took a great deal of pride in working multiple jobs throughout school in order to help fund my education and I value hard work and life long education. Throughout my career as a Registered Dietitian, I have worked in a variety of sectors and I am grateful for the work experiences I have been afforded.  

I consider it a great privilege to have followed a career path that allowed me to experience first-hand a variety of sectors and employment models.  This has shaped the lens I have today allowing me to look at health issues from a systems perspective, with an understanding of how these systems impact patients.

I am fascinated and interested in the role food plays in our health and lives.  I consider myself to have a very healthy relationship with food which I see as a privilege.  While I do enjoy the health benefits a nutritious diet offers, I also experience joy in preparing and eating a delicious meal with loved ones, and experiencing the comfort and joy food also provides, even if it’s not the most nutritious, it can still be nourishing (hint- apple fritters bring joy to my soul).  While these are driving forces in my career, my philosophy surrounding one’s health is that of deep respect of one’s autonomy- I do believe that we are free to make our own informed choices about our bodies, our lives and our health and I genuinely respect the informed choices of others.

References

Poirier, B., Haag, D., Soares, G., & Jamieson, L. (2023). Whose values, what bias, which subjectivity?: The need for reflexivity and positionality in epidemiological health equity scholarship. Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, 47(5), 100079. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100079