Researching Intergenerational Engagements and Programmes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Methodological Reflexivity on Research Pivots

This chapter explores methodological reflexivity in studying intergenerational engagements and programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Societal regulations, aimed at reducing infection risks, have inevitably impacted interactions between young children and older adults within families, communities, and early childhood education and care settings. The pandemic is thus framed as a crisis that posed challenges, leading to adaptations, transitions, and transformations for the researcher, who, at the time of writing, was a PhD candidate. These methodological shifts are viewed as ‘pivots,’ opening new research opportunities and fostering the researcher’s growth. Drawing from personal experiences, the implications of using digital platforms in research are discussed. The focus is on the researcher’s reflexivity and positionality, emphasizing the need for creative and innovative research approaches to navigate through the crisis.