Over a few weeks I’ve been recording the experiences, thoughts and poetry of a rough sleeper named “Robert” and, with consent, playing his story on local radio. My hope is to offer a unique perspective on what it’s like to live on the streets and to live in Canberra. This work-in-progress discussion will raise, “What good, if any, can come of this project?” and “Is it worth the risk?” Some of the issues that will be explored relate to i) power dynamics, ii) memory and reliability and iii) ethics (academic and otherwise) and iv) collaboration and interviewing methods. It will be a chance to reflect upon how we can better relate to marginalised and disadvantaged folk.

Kim Huynh is deputy director at the Humanities Research Centre and an ABC Radio Canberra presenter. You can listen to some of What’s it like to sleep rough in Canberra?