Research project

Fingernail Talk

PARTICIPANTS WANTED FOR GROUP DISCUSSION

The group discussions last about 1.5 hours and are recorded as an audio file and then transcribed anonymously (i.e. without real names) for the analysis. The group discussions can be organised as online discussions or as face-to-face meetings.

RESEARCH PROJECT

For a project exploring the social meaning of bodies, I'm looking for people interested in discussing fingernails, hands and manicures. The project is interested in the perception and meaning of hands and fingernails. Therefore, photos of different hands and nails will be discussed in group discussions. I'm looking for both people who have their nails done or do them themselves and people who don't have a strict beauty routine when it comes to their fingernails.

Fingernails have been a symbol of belonging and social status since ancient times. For a long time, it was possible to distinguish people who had to do manual work from privileged people who didn't have to by the condition of their hands and nails. The invention of nail polish greatly changed the social meaning of nails. Red nail polish on women's nails has been associated with sexuality ever since it was invented. Nails have become more and more diverse since the 1990s, and nail art often turns nails into a fashion accessory today. Therefore, I am interested in feelings and judgements generated by different hands and nails and which ones are perceived as beautiful, desirable or unattractive, and why. If you are interested in participating in a group discussion, please contact me.