From Numbers to Narratives: Becoming a Qualitative Researcher in the Global South

In this paper, I narrate my journey of becoming a qualitative researcher from the Global South. My transformation has been facilitated by five conditions: learning from fieldwork masters to value rapport and context; learning from diverse communities to embrace multiple interpretations and give voice to the marginalized; learning from key methodology literature to gain theoretical foundations; learning to navigate academic writing and publishing to develop resilience and persuasive skills; and learning to be authentic to transform myself as a researcher and human being.