Tales of Loss and Sorrow: Addressing Methodological Challenges in Refugee Research in Uganda

Abstract

This article discusses methodological challenges in refugee studies through a case study of interactions between refugees and host-population in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda. The article suggest that one solution to the challenges identified is to make use of James C. Scott's theory of private and public transcripts to form an argument that public stories of victimhood are utilized strategically as a weapon of the weak to navigate the terrain of Nakivale. Victimhood is one of many social roles among the actors in Nakivale and the stories become performance narratives with shifting roles depending on the audience. To shift from a social pose as a hardworking refugee in everyday life to a public presentation of self as a refugee with uttermost needs to the researcher is a tactic move. We can successfully read and interpret how the actors in Nakivale navigate in a competitive terrain by listening to the meaning of the public stories, and thus also understand the powerful narrative(s) across the different groups that live within the settlement.

Revisiting the Refugee–Host Relationship in Nakivale Refugee Settlement: A Dialogue with the Oxford Refugee Studies Centre

“…This article assumes that refugees and hosts have agency in determining their lives and, thus, cannot be perceived as only victims or dependents (see also Bakewell 2007Bakewell , 2008Bascom 1998;Demmers 2012;Horst 2006). More important than "having agency" is how refugees realize that agency, given the social, economic, and political conditions, constraints, and opportunities they face (Bjørkhaug 2017;van Dijk, de Bruijn, and Gewald 2007). Adapting from Giddens and from de Certeau's analysis of trajectories, strategies, and tactics, Honwana (2005Honwana ( , 2006 differentiated tactical from strategic agency.…”

“…I applied the same principles for security and trust to the choice for documenting the interviews. Many participants shared personal challenges of life in Nakivale, including sensitive stories of sexual violence and abuse (Bjørkhaug 2020). Rather than use a recorder, I actively wrote notes throughout all interviews and focus-group discussions and, the same day, transcribed the interviews, observations, and reflections into a computer document.…”

“…The subject of sexual exploitation is discussed elsewhere (Bjørkhaug 2020), but the Congolese woman's narrative suggests the means to earn an income can be desperate when the demand for work exceeds supply and tactical choices are limited. The Congolese work primarily ad hoc for, and depend on good relationships with, the Somalis, which opens space for exploitation rather than reciprocity.…”

Refugee Status Determination Procedure and Mental Health of the Applicant: Dynamics and Reciprocal Effects

“…Bearing in mind the aforementioned challenges and links between the refugee status determination procedure and the psychological state of the applicant, action points and recommendations that lead to the prevention of both deterioration of applicant's mental health and unbiased, trauma-informed asylum decisions we believe need to be carefully considered. The issues of mental health assessment, as well as methodological and ethical considerations in designing refugee studies have been discussed in detail elsewhere (37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43), therefore here we focus on practical implications for policy makers and practitioners to build upon this evidence and establish data-driven approach to mental health protection during different stages of refugee status determination procedure.…”

Norms and Values in Refugee Resettlement: A Literature Review of Resettlement to the EU

“…To be deemed vulnerable with particular need for protection is thus arguably a label that increases one's opportunity for protection in the EU asylum and refugee system or of being selected for resettlement to a third country (Bjørkhaug 2017;Sandvik & Lindskov Jacobsen 2016). At the same time, the way such labels are placed upon individuals in the current asylum and resettlement practices, suggests that vulnerability is being produced as equitable to certain group identities, such as women, children, or disabled persons (Fineman 2008).…”