Using TikTok as a tool for a reflective research practice: a self-study

Reflexivity is a critical component of qualitative research, though it applies to all types of research. Feminist science is one area championing the practice of reflexivity in all research. However, writing in a journal – the most common form of reflexive practice – may not work for all researchers. Using self-study as a methodology, I analyze one year of TikTok videos and monthly reflections through the lenses of public scholarship and authenticity to evaluate the effectiveness of TikTok as a platform for a daily practice of reflexivity. Setting out to document the creation of a new feminist research lab and to identify what it means to do feminist science on a daily basis, I found myself instead documenting the transition from postdoctoral fellowship to lectureship, finding patterns in daily work life that I consider feminist and realizing that ultimately TikTok is not an effective platform for reflexivity. Through daily videos, I identified care, relationships and documentation as important aspects of feminist practice that can be incorporated into day-to-day activities.