"Ben jij mentaal stabiel om dit onderzoek te doen?"
Tijdens een cursus over juridisch pluralisme in Lissabon in 2022 had ik een interessant en onverwacht reflectief gesprek met een van de organisatoren. We bespraken mijn onderzoek toen hij plotseling vroeg: "Ben je mentaal stabiel genoeg om dit onderzoek te doen? Sorry dat ik zo bot ben, maar soms zijn studenten en junior onderzoekers naïef. Ze denken dat het leuk is, maar ze beseffen niet welke impact het op hen kan hebben."
The question took me by surprise, but I think it is a valid one. Researching death as a life event is undoubtedly heavy and this conversation reminded me of the emotional demands of researching sensitive subjects. While exploring death as a significant life event can be intellectually fascinating, it also requires emotional preparedness. Recognizing the weight of this work has made me reflect on how I approach my mental well-being and ethical boundaries as a researcher. I am grateful that I am not doing this alone and that I have developed ways to manage it.
I have found that being part of a supportive community is essential. Sharing experiences with mentors and peers helped me process the emotional challenges. Self-awareness is equally crucial—acknowledging what I find disturbing and reflecting on it critically has helped me maintain objectivity and compassion.
Researching heavy topics is not just about intellectual curiosity; it is also about navigating the personal and ethical complexities that come with it. This experience reaffirmed the importance of balancing curiosity with care—for both myself and the people I encounter through my work.