Four uncomfortable questions about intercultural educational research

Abstract

This article presents a reflection on key topics for understanding intercultural educational research in Mexico through a discussion centered on four key questions: a) Intercultural educational research… is it only about working on and with Indigenous populations?; b) Are there methods specific to intercultural educational research?; c) Are there experts in intercultural educational research?; and d) Why continue using intercultural theory if we already have intersectional, decolonial, and gender theories? The answers to these questions invite us to rethink the field of intercultural educational research in general, recognizing the complexity of social phenomena, the diversity inherent in intercultural theories in Mexico, the epistemic plurality encouraged by intercultural research, and, finally, the possibility of enriching the field through theories such as intersectionality, gender perspectives, and decolonial theory. The ideas presented in this article open possibilities for analysis, discussion, debate, and the development of reflections that may help suggest improvements to the field of intercultural educational research in Mexico.