In a research peer group some months ago, someone talked about belonging to a group of radical researchers. I could not contain my heart. Something in me clicked: I am a radical researcher.

I am at university but I don’t belong there in a lot of ways. This is not a story of woe, but a realisation that the academy cannot (and should not) contain us all. It shouldn’t have access to all forms of information and community knowledge.

The academy is based in things that I actively despise: white supremacy, ableism, colonialism, imperialism and patriarchy. Academic knowledge in many fields is moving away from these (some more expeditiously than others) but the academy still remains white, cis male, heterosexual and English speaking centred.

How do we deal with these opposing issues? Using the very privilege that got me in to university to undermine it whilst also being a part of it’s harmful ways. It is not my intention to cause harm but I have to think about impact at every turn. Something I wished more researchers did.

Caring, loving and challenging power structures shouldn’t be radical but here we are.

Radical research does however leave me with more questions than answers; if we are dismantling from the inside, what do we do when the roof comes down? Do we build anew? Should we dismantle from the outside? Is academia beyond reform? Is it time for abolition?

I ask these questions of myself often. I sometimes even ask them aloud of other researchers with some very interesting answers and the tiny noise of minds exploding.

It’s nice to know that there are small pockets of academic researchers that also ask these questions. Who go in with their full selves within the academy whilst fighting against the systems of white supremacy, elitism, and patriarchy that still underpin it.

And maybe these pockets aren’t as small as I think they are. Maybe the words and ideas of love, belonging, safety, trust, beauty, joy and connection can belong in the academy. They are how we aquire knowledge, in all its forms. They are not hard science but they are humanity.

Emotions are sometimes banging on the doors of universities. Connection and love just need the door to be opened. It’s risky, it’s scary but it’ll make everything so much better. So much realer.

Radical research is not a neutral tool to be employed without bias in the search for truth. Rather the radical roots of research are focused on freedom and emancipation from unchallenged allegiance to tradition, ‘common sense’, religion, or powerful individuals and organisations.

Here’s to the radical researchers, activists, advocates, research participants, consultants and those who tell the academy to stick it.