Today’s post was written by Siena Andrews, a senior at Loyola Marymount University majoring in African American studies, with a minor in journalism. Siena works on the outreach and engagement team at William H. Hannon Library.
On Oct. 15, 2024, Dolores Delgado Bernal, professor of educational leadership and administration in Loyola Marymount University’s School of Education, discussed her recent co-authored article, “Feminista pláticas as a methodological disruption: drawing upon embodied knowledge, vulnerability, healing, and resistance.” Delgado Bernal, a first-generation Ph.D. graduate from UCLA and a distinguished scholar with more than 40 published works, contributes an abundance of expertise in critical race theory, educational leadership, and Chicana feminist studies to this innovative methodology.
Understanding her academic background and investigating the feminista pláticas methodological framework were the two main topics of the evening. By establishing pláticas, or casual chats, as a valid research methodology, Delgado Bernal has continuously questioned conventional research paradigms throughout her career. Her research shows how this strategy goes beyond simple “small talk” to become a culturally grounded methodology based on core ideas that transform educational research.
Integrating the body, mind, and spirit of researchers and collaborators is central to feminista pláticas. By highlighting the value of vulnerability, solidarity, and reciprocity in the research process, this all-encompassing method fosters environments that allow for genuine communication. Perhaps most importantly, the methodology offers opposition to conventional research approaches that are frequently based in whiteness and colonial logic, as well as the possibility of healing.
Delgado Bernal’s research on the 1968 East LA walkouts serves as a powerful example of this methodology in action. Through interviewing eight women leaders, she demonstrated how pláticas create spaces for authentic storytelling and knowledge production. Her approach emphasizes listening not for universal truths but for the unique oral histories that shape individual journeys, allowing previously silenced voices to emerge and contribute to our understanding of historical events.
Feminista pláticas’ real-world applications call for serious thought and preparation. In addition to creating targeted questions that direct their research, researchers must set clear expectations and objectives. This methodology relies heavily on cultural ties, necessitating that researchers remain cognizant of and respectful of the cultural contexts in which they operate. The difficulty is in keeping things appropriately structured but letting discussions unfold naturally, making room for deeper knowledge and surprising revelations.
Recent developments in the field have expanded the application of feminista pláticas into new areas of study. The methodology has found particular resonance in queer Latinx scholarship, where it provides a framework for exploring intersectional identities and experiences. Its use as a pedagogical tool has also grown, offering educators new ways to engage with students and create more inclusive learning environments.
One crucial distinction Delgado Bernal emphasized is the difference between pláticas and auto-ethnography. While both methodologies value personal experience, pláticas specifically emphasize the relational nature of research and focus on collaborators rather than the researcher. This shift in focus helps create more equitable research practices that honor the knowledge and experiences of all participants.
Beyond theoretical frameworks, Delgado Bernal’s work has a significant impact on real-world applications that are revolutionizing educational research. Her talk illustrated how feminista pláticas might be used to disrupt methods and develop more culturally sensitive and equitable research practices in the field of education. For academics looking to carry out more inclusive, moral, and significant research that respects the experiences and expertise of underrepresented people, this methodology has encouraging prospects as the field develops.