Waiting, Witnessing, Embodying: A trauma-informed approach for theological qualitative research

Trauma has become a cultural touchstone and is an increasingly popular topic in theological research. While this is to be welcomed, there is little guidance for trauma researchers in theology, particularly for those seeking to interact directly with trauma survivors through qualitative research. This article offers a trauma-informed approach for theologians undertaking qualitative research. It introduces three theologically underpinned research themes: waiting, witnessing, and embodying. These methods emphasize the safety of research participant and researcher, and present a challenge to more traditional methods of research through the centring of bodily experience and an understanding of the fragmentary nature of traumatic experience.