This notion of acquiring multiple identities, renders the notion of identity problematic. My research addresses the issue of identity formation, negotiation and management in virtual space. I find this particularly fascinating with regard to the formation of gender identitiesn on the Internet. Gender switching' is a perfect example. My research to date has shown that gender switching poses specific problems even in this disembodied space.
Categorisation appears to be necessary in establishing trust in virtual encounters.
Thus rather than positing a radical break from the real the virtual appears to be creating itself in the image of the real. My area of research is that of social movements. I hope to undertake specific research into the anti-racism groups which have, in recent times, become prominent in Irish society. My main aim at present is to choose a suitable methodology which will aid me to gain a better and more complete understanding of the anti-racism movement in contemporary Ireland. At the moment my focus is very much leaning towards methodologies such as sociological intervention as expounded by Alaine Touraine and cognitive praxis as practiced by Eyerman and Jamison.