Zine-making as site of research brave space: From ethical challenges to transformative opportunities in the study of digital sexual intimacies

This paper presents zine-making workshops as sites of Research Brave Spaces (RBS), a methodological posture for scholars within transformative worldviews. Positioned within queer research methodologies, the paper argues that zine-making offers a creative and multimodal method that enhances participant engagement and reflexivity, challenging some limitations of traditional research methods. By framing research as a “brave space,” the paper shifts from the notion of “safe spaces,” emphasising the importance of embracing discomfort, vulnerability, and critical reflection throughout the research process in all the subjects involved. The methodology incorporates elements of care, collaboration, and adaptability, addressing the specific needs of marginalised participants, including neurodivergent individuals. Presenting the case study of researching sexting practices among queer subjectivities in Italy, the paper present how zine-making workshops create a space where participants can safely explore sensitive topics like digital sexual intimacies while maintaining agency and control over their narratives. The workshops serve not only as a data collection method but also as a transformative site for co-producing knowledge, empowering both participants and researchers to confront power imbalances and engage in self-reflexivity. This paper highlights the potential of zine-making to foster more inclusive, participatory research practices through multimodal/creative methods, offering a flexible and accessible approach that aligns with the ethics of care in qualitative research. By embedding creative methods like zine-making, the paper contributes to ongoing discussions about innovative methodologies in the social sciences, particularly those that engage with vulnerable and non-normative subjectivities.