Call for papers
The Fifth Annual "Researching Africa" Day
Workshop
Fellows' Dining Room, St Antony's College
University of
Oxford
11 June 2004
9:00am - 5:00pm
The annual "Researching Africa"
day workshop aims to provide an opportunity to meet with fellow researchers, to
exchange information and experiences and to discuss research strategies and
practices in doing fieldwork in Africa in an informal academic setting.
Postgraduate students who have recently conducted research in African countries
are invited to give brief presentations on their research experiences, which are
followed by lively discussion. The workshop is a multi-disciplinary venture and
open for researchers in various disciplines working on Africa. Panels will be
arranged on the following four themes with an emphasis on the practical aspect
of research. Other issues can be included if appropriate.
* Reflecting
on research methodologies: working with archives and documentary material;
research methods for pre-colonial history; selecting interviewees and focus
groups; interview techniques; how to incorporate oral sources into writing;
collecting government documents and researching politically controversial
issues; triangulating sources
* Negotiating the politics: finding
contacts; gaining access and establishing trust; relationships with research
assistants and the object of research; when to pay, what to pay; countering
perceptions of yourself by interviewees
* How the practicalities shape
the material: language; the role and effects of translators; research in
conflict zones; research equipment; data management; health risks; getting
material home; time constraints and tradeoffs
* The personal side of
fieldwork: ethical and ideological aspects of fieldwork; mixing with local
communities; personal coping and maintaining contacts with home; difficulties of
gender
If you would like to present, please send an abstract of 150 words
to Chizuko Sato
[log in to unmask] or
Lindsay Whitfield
[log in to unmask]
by Wednesday, 31st March 2004. (The deadline is extended.) Those interested in
attending the workshop should also email Chizuko or Lindsay to register
early.
