An exciting new direction for the International Institute for Qualitative Methodology (IIQM)

In late March 2023, the University of Alberta announced the International Institute for Qualitative Methodology (IIQM) is moving from its long-time home within the Faculty of Nursing to the Faculty of Arts. 

After nearly 25 years within the Faculty of Nursing, the announcement may come as a surprise to some, but the decision was made with a great deal of care, consideration and cooperation between both Faculties. 

Founded in 1998 by former Faculty of Nursing Professor Janice Morse, IIQM has a storied history within nursing, but its reach extends far beyond Edmonton and the University of Alberta. 

“IIQM was a pioneer in advancing qualitative methods internationally,” says Diane Kunyk, Ph.D. RN, Acting Dean and Professor with the Faculty of Nursing. “Through IIQM activities, opportunities were opened for researchers and students from many parts of the world to learn and develop qualitative methods.” 

Given changes in the last few years, it became apparent that IIQM needed a creative solution to allow the institute to continue its valuable work. 

“We did not want it to disappear,” says Dean Kunyk. 

Sara Dorow, Professor of Sociology and Director of IIQM, is tasked with shepherding the institute into its new home while continuing and re-imagining its legacy. 

“A few years ago, IIQM went into a bit of a hiatus. Given its history, I was interested and open to trying to revitalize it,” she says. 

Dorow and the team at IIQM are hopeful about this new phase of the institute, especially as it looks to maintain its reputation on the world stage while re-focusing efforts on change-oriented qualitative research through intersectional and decolonial approaches. 

“As we rebuild, there's a lot more opportunity now than there was 25 years ago for people to be engaged in qualitative methods and get training at various events and institutes globally,” says Dorow. 

She adds:

“We wanted to think very generally about change-oriented qualitative research — which is everything from community-engaged work to decolonial intersectional work. It is qualitative research geared towards social change, transformation and equity.” 

While Dorow stresses that IIQM will not necessarily apply these lenses to all research done within the institute, it marks a clear path forward for how researchers can implement transformative approaches in qualitative methodology. 

A bright future for the institute 

In deciding the future of IIQM, Dorow and her team worked closely with the support of the Faculty of Nursing.

“We want to advance qualitative methods to tackle some of the thorny issues out there right now, such as intersections of gender,” says Dean Kunyk. “This is where Sara plans to go with the institute, and she wants to continue to keep Nursing involved in IIQM in a substantial way.”

Faculty of Arts Dean Robert Wood is equally hopeful for this new phase of the institute and is looking forward to Arts becoming the new home of IIQM. 

“For over two decades, the International Institute of Qualitative Methodology has been central to the enrichment of interdisciplinary qualitative research both on a local and international scale,” says Dean Wood. “The Faculty of Arts is honoured to be a part of the exciting future of this institute and we look forward to seeing IIQM flourish under the skillful leadership of Dr. Dorow.”

While this new iteration of IIQM is still in its early days, the institute is wasting no time in creating new opportunities while also honouring the legacy established by the Faculty of Nursing. One step to include Nursing in the future was the appointment of Gillian Lemmermeyer, Assistant Professor with the Faculty of Nursing, as Associate Director.

In partnership with Intersections of Gender, IIQM is also hosting the 21st Thinking Qualitatively conference at the university, Thinking Qualitatively: Doing Intersectionality, June 19–21, 2023. 

Although change can be challenging to navigate, Dean Kunyk is positive about what’s to come.

“I'm delighted Sara was willing to take on the Director position. She has been part of IIQM for many years and is highly capable,” she says. “She has a strong vision of returning IIQM to its roots of an institute that’s all about the methods.” 

For Dorow, the history of IIQM is as important as its past. 

“In my role as Director, I sit on the shoulder of giants,” says Dorow. “IIQM has a brilliant history of incredible people involved with moving it forward. IIQM is about pushing the bounds of qualitative research and methods. I think that core remains, no matter where it is.”