This presentation will provide an introduction to the reflexive thematic analysis approach developed by Virginia Braun and Victoria Clarke. Reflexive thematic analysis offers qualitative researchers a flexible and open approach to qualitative data analysis – centring researcher subjectivity, and conceptualising this as a resource for research. We will explore key concepts within reflexive thematic analysis – including the critical question of what constitutes a theme? – and overview the six phases in the analytic process from familiarisation of the data to writing the report.

Dr. Clarke is an Associate Professor in Qualitative and Critical Psychology in the School of Social Sciences at the University of the West of England, where she teaches qualitative research methods to postgraduate students and supervises student research. Her own research addresses issues of difference and social justice, and with Virginia Braun she has written extensively about thematic analysis including most recently the award winning textbook Thematic Analysis: A Practical Guide (2022, Sage). They also write about qualitative methods more broadly and have a particular interest in developing the story completion method (see www.storycompletion.net) and the qualitative survey method, and matters of quality in qualitative research.

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