Research is about seeing chinks, opening new avenues, taking leaps. The articles in this issue of TEXT look at the coal-face of research and identify niches for further probing; they view the territory of research and recognize new ways to blaze trails through it; they watch the performance of other researchers and are compelled to reach further. The metaphors for research we live by indicate it is industry, journey and perhaps circus. TEXT continues as a workplace quarry, region and map, performance stage…