‘But why is a Ghanaian studying Liberia?’ Leveraging positionality for online data collection during the COVID-19 pandemic

This paper explores the significance of my positionality as a Ghanaian interested in a Liberian identity question and examines how it influenced the dialogical process of research design and online data collection. Emphasising the fluidity of the insider/outsider binary, the study unveils its potential to cultivate positive online interview experiences, augmenting the overall depth and quality of interview data. Notably, my dual status as an outsider, owing to Ghanaian nationality and pandemic-induced physical distance, and as an insider, being a racialised Black African like some participants, significantly influenced unique relationships with study participants, facilitating access and contributing to an enriched data collection experience.