Ethnography as Risky Business: Field Research in Violent and Sensitive Contexts offers a hands-on, critical appraisal of how to approach ethnographic fieldwork on socio-political conflict and collective violence, focusing on the global south. The volume’s contributions are all based on extensive firsthand qualitative social science research conducted in sensitive--and often hazardous--field settings. The contributors reflect on real-life methodological problems as well as the ethical and personal challenges such as the protection of participants, research data and the ‘ethnographic self’. In particular, the authors highlight how ‘risky ethnography’ requires careful maneuvering before, during, and after fieldwork on the basis of a ‘situated’ ethics, yet also point to the rewards of such an endeavor. If these methodological, ethical and personal risks are managed adequately, the yields in terms of generating a deep understanding of, and critical engagement with, conflict and violence may be substantial.
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Ethnography as Risky Business addresses the issues that arise while carrying out ethnographic fieldwork on socio-political conflicts and collective violence with a focus on the global south. Drawing on real-life case studies, this work reflects on the ethical and personal challenges faced when conducting and reporting on "risky" ethnography.
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Introduction: Ethnography as ‘Risky Business’Chapter 1: Researching the Politics of Aid in War-torn Societies: The Case of Chalatenango, El SalvadorChapter 2: Dealing with Distrust: A Diplomat-Anthropologist Negotiating Obstacles in Politically Sensitive Urban Fieldwork in SudanChapter 3: Researching security in Africa as the “Sierra Foxtrot Golf”Chapter 4: A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing: Negotiating Identity in Fieldwork Among the National Civil Police in GuatemalaChapter 5: “Doctor, How Can We Improve Our Image in Europe?”: Researching War and Peace in Colombia as an Ethnographer-ConsultantChapter 6: Interviewing Revolutionary Generations in Latin America: A Personal MemoirChapter 7: “You are not like the Ladinos at all”: Reflections on Fieldwork, Cataloguing the Researcher and Knowledge ProductionChapter 8: Keeping a Distance? Dealing With Perpetrators of Violence in a Guatemalan TownChapter 9: From 'Broder' to 'Don': Methodological Reflections on Longitudinal Gang Research in NicaraguaChapter 10: Interpretation of Dreams and Humor in Affective Fieldwork on State Violence in ArgentinaChapter 11: Swimming with Former Combatants: Ethics and Pragmatics of Fieldwork in Post War zones in Sri LankaChapter 12: Ethical Issues Raised by Legal Anthropological Research on Local Dispute Settlement in EcuadorChapter 13: Security at Stake: Dealing with Violence and Public (In)security in a Popular Neighborhood in Guadalajara, MexicoChapter 14: Among Comrades: (Dis)trust in Ethnographic Fieldwork with Former Salvadoran RevolutionariesChapter 15: Embedded Ethnography: Conflict Research Through an International Peace Mission in ColombiaChapter 16: Fieldwork Frontiers: Danger, Uncertainty, and Limitations During Research with Former Combatants in Mozambique
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A must-read for undergraduate and graduate students of conflict and violence! It is theoretically interesting, reflecting a deep, long-term engagement around the University of Utrecht on issues of conflict, social exclusion and marginalization. It is methodologically important, developing an ethical ethnography so much more interesting than the stale rehearsals of ethics boards. Each contributor brings something important to the table, while at the same time maintaining a conversation across each chapter. No small feat at all!
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Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9781498598453
Publisert
2020-11-09
Utgiver
Vendor
Lexington Books
Vekt
376 gr
Høyde
220 mm
Bredde
153 mm
Dybde
18 mm
Aldersnivå
P, 06
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Heftet
Antall sider
254

Biographical note

Kees Koonings is associate professor of anthropology and development studies in the Department of Cultural Anthropology at Utrecht University and professor of Brazilian studies at CEDLA, University of Amsterdam.

Dirk Kruijt is professor emeritus of development studies in the Department of Cultural Anthropology at Utrecht University, research fellow at the Center for International Studies of the University Institute of Lisbon, and research fellow at the Centre for Military Studies, Stellenbosch University.

Dennis Rodgers is research professor in the Department of Anthropology and Sociology at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and visiting professor in international development studies at the University of Amsterdam.