This article addresses the complexities of being a female ethnographer studying an all-male group, as well as the advantages and the effects this had on the researcher. It draws on research undertaken for a doctoral research project, employing ethnography and semi-structured interviews to explore ‘hidden’ food insecurity in the town of Middlesbrough, with predominantly male participants. The existing literature surrounding research and gender addresses the problems associated with gender differences in the field such as fitting in, sexualisation and sexist treatment and confinement to traditional gender roles. This research highlighted many problems associated with being a female ethnographer but that ultimately gender was beneficial in gaining and maintaining access to the field. It concludes by arguing for academia to develop the notion of ‘hidden ethnography’, alongside a recognition that researchers should be supported emotionally in problems they face in the field.

本文探讨了作为女性民族志研究者研究全男性群体的复杂性，以及这对研究者的优势和影响。它借鉴了一项博士研究项目的研究成果，该研究采用人种志学和半结构化访谈的方式来研究米德尔斯堡镇的“隐性”粮食不安全状况，其中主要是男性参与者。有关研究和性别的现有文献讨论了与该领域中性别差异相关的问题，例如适应，性别化和性别歧视待遇以及仅限于传统性别角色。这项研究强调了与作为女性民族志专家有关的许多问题，但性别最终有利于获得和维持该领域。