Abstract
This book examines the challenges researchers encountered during their fieldwork-based research in violent and closed contexts, particularly in areas of international intervention. It explores the multifaceted issues of methodology, method, ethics and risks that arise in research in such contexts. Throughout the book, the authors strive to manage and mitigate risks relating to research by tailoring their research to address the realities of fieldwork, which is not just useful in violent and closed contexts but also for fieldwork in general, particularly when the participants are a vulnerable group, and when ‘assumptions clash with reality’ during the fieldwork (p. 244). Each author, drawing upon personal resources, experiences, and convictions, exercises individual judgment when confronted with the challenges of the field from areas including Haiti, Sudan, Yemen, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Tajikistan, African Sahel and Myanmar. The authors collectively advocate for an ongoing dialogue about the dilemmas inherent in fieldwork, rejecting the notion of ignoring or denying their existence. Before conducting fieldwork, the editors advise researchers to find answers for their questions in the literature before deciding to do the fieldwork in such contexts, to be aware of all kinds of risks, and to be aware of institutional and vocational approaches to ethics.
The book is divided into 19 chapters organized into four distinct sections. Each section discusses one dilemma during fieldwork and some recommendations to deal with it. The first section, entitled ‘Control and Confusion’, focuses on the experiences of four authors who experienced confusion which resulted in a diminished sense of control over their fieldwork. Confusion along with other feelings, including frustration, anger, bewilderment and self-doubt, which have often remained unarticulated in existing literature. Thus, the researchers are caught between their expectations of what the fieldwork would look like based on their readings of literature, and the reality of this confusion and their lack of control which affects not just researchers but also others involved in the research, such as research participants and the broader communities where the research takes place. A central theme emerging from the authors’ narratives in this section revolves around their lack of contextual and cultural awareness in engaging with participants. Consequently, strategies were proposed to mitigate risks, emphasizing the significance of negotiating identity, positionality, and being aware of the intricate relationships formed during fieldwork, which can introduce biases, offer false promises and pose potential risks.
The second section of the book emphasized the need for constantly updated and contextually situated security assessments. The element of ‘Security and Risk’ involved in conducting fieldwork in violent and closed context enriches the importance of this book. This element encompasses a range of topics, including context-specific safety protocols, rethinking research ethics in a more practical manner instead of dealing with it as a ‘box-ticking exercises’ (p. 97). A central dilemma presented in this section is that conventional statistical risk assessments often fail to capture the nuanced dynamics of knowledge production within violent and closed contexts. One author aptly suggests that ‘research ethics in practice is about negotiating dilemmas not following rules’ (p. 109). The authors call for heightened awareness of institutional and professional approaches to ethics and risks as a means of equipping researchers with a comprehensive understanding of what to expect and how to prepare for the unexpected. The dilemmas discussed in this section encompass the complexities of researcher positionality, obtaining permission and consent, fostering collaboration, acknowledging diversity within local groups, accounting for biases, and assessing risks in the face of rapidly changing political contexts.
The third section examines issues related to ‘Distance and Closeness’, raising questions concerning physical access to the research site and social access to informants and participants. In situations where direct access is restricted due to security concerns or governmental control over foreign access, physical separation from the field occurs. Researcher’s identity along with participants’ identities and their perceptions of the researcher’s prescriptive and ascriptive characteristics affect data collection, highlighting the insider-outsider dichotomy. Establishing trust with local participants and staff necessitates clear communication about the project’s objectives, the roles of each member and financial arrangements. Additionally, this section explores embedded research and the ethical dilemmas surrounding obtaining consent, as signed written consent forms can jeopardize the safety of participants in conflict zones. Oral consent is the alternative, yet in an open conflict zone, time constraints impede detailed explanations of the research. The authors underscore the importance of flexibility in conducting fieldwork in such contexts and advocate seeking advice from trusted local sources. For instance, they recommend conducting individual interviews with lower-ranking staff during lunch breaks rather than group interviews where higher-ranking individuals might inhibit open expression of opinions.
The study of sexual violence was the theme of the last section titled ‘Sex and Sensitivity’. The third section also addresses the challenges of interviewing marginalized and vulnerable participants, examining access, compensation, moral dilemmas and the process of presenting research findings. The authors analyse issues such as victimhood, agency and the experiences of both women and men affected by sexual violence perpetrated by military personnel and non-military individuals, including during peacekeeping operations. Managing emotions while maintaining professional distance and a sense of humanity toward the victims emerges as a central difficulty in addressing these sensitive topics. To tackle the sensitivity of interviewing victims of sexual abuse and violence, the authors propose alternative interviewing strategies that are ‘information seeking rather than interrogatory’ (p. 221).
The book addresses a notable gap in the literature by acknowledging feelings of confusion, insecurity, loneliness and disappointments researchers might face in their fieldwork. It provides insights into the experiences of fellow researchers and the hurdles they have overcome prepares researchers, particularly early-career researchers with a comprehensive understanding of the potential realities associated with fieldwork regardless of the contexts. The book challenges existing ethics and risk policies at higher education and research institutions and could therefore be useful to policymakers within academic institutions and researchers across various disciplines.
Within academic circles, it is common for researchers to discuss their research and fieldwork in a manner that highlights smooth progress, even when it was not the case. Thus, gaining insights into the genuine experiences of fieldwork and the accompanying frustrations serves to reassure researchers that they are not alone in their struggles and provides a sense of solidarity among individuals facing similar challenges.