Keepers of Local Know-How in Conflict: Conversations Between Research Assistant and Researcher

Moss, Sigrun Marie; Hajj, Hajj Mohammed

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-44113-5_3

Cited by 8 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…For instance, field research in conflict regions may be particularly difficult if the researcher and/or research assistants employed are partial to one side of the conflict (for a case study, see Moss & Hajj, 2020). In these instances, the identity of the researcher might influence administration of the project and/or the research might affect the mental health of the research teams (e.g., Moss & Hajj, 2020; Moss et al, 2019). Thus, in addition to considering the psychological toll of the research on the participants, the researchers should also consider its effect on all those involved in the research program, including research assistants, students, the principal researchers themselves, and local partners (e.g., fixers, translators, enumerators).…”

Section: Spectrum Of Ways To Conduct Translational Sciencementioning

confidence: 99%

“…But on the other hand, such involvement could lead to psychological harm. For instance, field research in conflict regions may be particularly difficult if the researcher and/or research assistants employed are partial to one side of the conflict (for a case study, see Moss & Hajj, 2020). In these instances, the identity of the researcher might influence administration of the project and/or the research might affect the mental health of the research teams (e.g., Moss & Hajj, 2020; Moss et al, 2019).…”

Section: Spectrum Of Ways To Conduct Translational Sciencementioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Translating social science for peace: Benefits, challenges, and recommendations.

Moore‐Berg¹,

Bernstein²,

Gallardo³

et al. 2022

Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology

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There is a growing push within the social sciences to conduct translational science that not only advances theory but also achieves real world impact. The goals of this paper are (a) to encourage scholars to engage in translational science by conducting research that responds to pressing social challenges, and (b) to provide concrete recommendations on how to incorporate such practices into their research programs. To do this, we bring together perspectives of academics and practitioners who have experience merging science with practice. We begin by defining what translational science is, describing the benefits of engaging in translational science for peace and conflict studies, and highlighting past research that has done this successfully. Next, we describe various aspects of conducting translational science, such as how researchers can partner with nonacademic stakeholders to create social impact and advance scientific theory, and how they can disseminate findings for public impact. We also address key challenges researchers might face when conducting translational research and provide practical tips that social scientists can use to effectively engage in what we coined the “Bruneauian” approach for how to address such challenges. Specifically, we focus on the skills needed for study design and deployment, how researchers can sensitively interact with vulnerable communities, statistical and methodological considerations, logistical challenges, and how to develop relationships with practitioners. Finally, we conclude with a practitioner’s perspective on how to foster these types of relationships.

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Section: Spectrum Of Ways To Conduct Translational Sciencementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Spectrum Of Ways To Conduct Translational Sciencementioning

confidence: 99%

Translating social science for peace: Benefits, challenges, and recommendations.

Moore‐Berg¹,

Bernstein²,

Gallardo³

et al. 2022

Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Her ability to also engage with participants in the local languages was crucial. This underscores the necessity (and joys) of working with local colleagues (Moss & Hajj, 2020) and across race/nationality/class/global North and South power lines in development and in research (Segalo & Fine, 2020). In writing up the research, both authors (being Scandinavian) acknowledge being far removed from the context.…”

Section: Ethical and Methodological Challenges And Author Positionalitymentioning

confidence: 97%

Making meaning of empowerment and development in rural Malawi—International individualism meets local communalism

Adolfsson

Moss

2021

J. Soc. Polit. Psych.

Self Cite

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Empowerment is a prominent concept in psychology, and for decades, it has been a key term in global development policy, theory, and practice. However, in line with similar turns toward individualism in psychology, the prevalent understanding of the concept centers on individual capacity to change circumstances, with less focus on empowerment as a context-dependent or communal approach. In this article, adopting decolonial feminist psychology as a lens, we analyze how rural Malawians make meaning of the overarching empowerment and development approach of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in their villages, and how they perceive the approaches as fitting with local contexts. When development implementers largely ignore Malawi’s communal lifestyle, individualized empowerment initiatives can lead to individual and communal disempowerment and distress. Given psychology’s large influence on other arenas, and psychology’s implication with the individualized gender-development-empowerment nexus, we argue that it is imperative to explore the effects and experiences of this empowerment approach in different contexts. A more context-appropriate understanding of empowerment—as with most other psychological concepts—is needed.

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“…Ethically, the pandemic also raises questions about our obligations as researchers to our RAs’ safety in the field (Moss & Hajj, 2020). Even in regions with low COVID-19 case count (such as in our research area at the time of research), deploying this methodology means that we are asking RAs to put themselves at risk.…”

Section: Negotiating Power Relations Between Research Assistants and ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite this reliance on local RAs, a relatively limited body of literature discusses their roles, the potential for RAs to be empowered as a direct result of the process and the central ways in which they shape knowledge production (Anwar & Viqar, 2017; Cons, 2014; Gupta, 2014). While literature has begun to address a number of ethical, practical and conceptual concerns regarding the role of RAs (Michaud, 2010; Molony & Hammett, 2007; Molyneux et al, 2009; Randall et al, 2013), specifically concerning research in conflict scenarios (Anwar & Viqar, 2017; Moss & Hajj, 2020), academic discussion of the role of RAs in qualitative fieldwork remains relatively limited (Anwar & Viqar, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

From a Distance: The ‘New Normal’ for Researchers and Research Assistants Engaged in Remote Fieldwork

Nguyen

Scheyvens

Beban

et al. 2022

International Journal of Qualitative Methods

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Doing remote fieldwork is a ‘new normal’ in the COVID-19 pandemic era. It is challenging, but not impossible. With planning and preparation, comprehensive training and ongoing support for Research Assistants (RAs), researchers can overcome the challenges of remote fieldwork. In this article, we reflect on the experience of employing local RAs to support doctoral research involving in-depth household interviews and focus group discussions with ethnic minority people in upland Vietnam. The challenge of adapting to this ‘new normal’ provided us with an opportunity for a critical appraisal of the researcher–RA relationship. The approach to remote fieldwork we developed centres on frequent communication, feedback and building trusting team dynamics. We argue that this approach can overcome some of the power hierarchies between global north researchers and local RAs, and therefore, should not simply be seen as a temporary or inferior ‘Plan B’ for researchers, but should be embraced as a way of reimagining knowledge production. We discuss lessons learned in how to carry out remote fieldwork, present practical strategies and recommendations, and consider the strengths of this approach for knowledge production and the empowerment of researchers in the global south.

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Keepers of Local Know-How in Conflict: Conversations Between Research Assistant and Researcher

Cited by 8 publications

References 28 publications

Translating social science for peace: Benefits, challenges, and recommendations.

Translating social science for peace: Benefits, challenges, and recommendations.

Making meaning of empowerment and development in rural Malawi—International individualism meets local communalism

From a Distance: The ‘New Normal’ for Researchers and Research Assistants Engaged in Remote Fieldwork

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