Intervention, Autonomy, and Power in Polarized Societies

Cambridge University Press eBooks, pp. 31–43

Abstract

Chapter 3 reflects on the unintended consequences of fieldwork in polarized societies, which may affect the autonomy of both the researcher and the researched. In a context of past violence and intractable conflict, research participants often have concerns about how the research impacts the autonomy of their daily life by potentially compromising their safety. On the other hand, research participants may try to make use of the researcher for their own political and economic objectives, compromising the autonomy of the project. In analyzing the simultaneous empowerment and disempowerment of research participants, the chapter discusses the methodological and ethical challenges of power and neutrality during fieldwork and joins others in showing that conflict research needs to be understood as a form of intervention in local affairs.

Authors 1

1. Corinna Jentzsch corresponding Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Universiteit Leiden