Janus in the viscous field: A reflexive account on researching homelessness through institutionalised spaces of care

Given the scarcity of methodological reflections by geographers studying homelessness, and drawing from ethnographic research in Athens, this paper provides an empirical reflexive account of the complexities of practising homelessness research through “spaces of care.” Emphasising the institutional nature of these spaces, it highlights the role of institutions, such as NGOs and public authorities, in shaping certain local contexts for geographic research. Precisely, the circulation of specific homeless-related discourses throughout spaces of care shapes the “viscous field” of institutions, wherein research moves become difficult and subject positionings are set a priori. Therein, the two-faced figure of Janus becomes the metaphor for the geographer in the viscous field, who embodies simultaneously two faces-roles: of researcher and volunteer. Afterwards, a focus on bodies highlights the emotional and performative aspects of the encounters with research participants. Eventually, four-plus-one ethical pro-positions for practising geographic research on homelessness are given in place of conclusions. Overall, the paper is an empirical contribution to institutional geographies, their methodologies, and the difficulties, complexities, and negotiations for researchers-volunteers. The “trouble of institutions” may also be a methodological trouble for geography practitioners in research sites such as spaces of care, where researchers-volunteers, participants, and institutions become entangled with one another.