Apologies for cross posting.
International Fieldwork in Developing Countries: Postgraduate Training Workshop
North East Doctoral Training Centre: ESRC Advanced Training Module
11th -12th December Newcastle University, Post Graduate Training Suite, 7th floor Daysh Building.
NB: To register please contact Ann Williamson-Forster DTC Administrator: [log in to unmask]
Day One: Tuesday 11th December 2012
9:30 Registration and Introduction
Session 1: Theoretical and Methodological Considerations (10-12:00)
This session will cover issues of: theoretical and methodological approaches; researcher positionality; politics of fieldwork; research in challenging situations (e.g. conflict areas), reflexivity.
Speakers:
Fieldwork at home and abroad Suzanne Speak, School of Architecture and Planning, Newcastle University
Methodological approaches case studies: postgraduate panel
Session 2: Access and Ethics (1-2.30)
This session will cover issues of: gaining entry and access (to information, research sites, resources, subjects); gaining access to communities; collecting sensitive, personal information; dealing with gender issues; confidentiality; peer pressure on research subjects; avoiding bias; social relationships of field research; research fatigue; expectations that the research will produce economic outcomes. The session will also cover very practical issues such as bureaucratic requirements; visas; vaccinations; risk assessments; cultural considerations; and safety for lone researchers.
Speakers:
Practicalities of fieldwork Nina Laurie School of Geography, Politics and Sociology, Newcastle University
Research relationships/sensitivities and ethics Alison Stenning, School of Geography, Politics and Sociology, Newcastle University
Session 3: Beyond Theory: Facing the Challenges of Fieldwork in Specific Settings and Talking and Writing About it Afterwards (3 - 5.00)
This session explores the challenges of fieldwork with vulnerable people in two different contexts. It also examines questions of responsibility when writing, analysing and presenting work of this nature.
Speakers:
Ethical production in South Africa Cheryl McEwan, Geography Department, Durham University Collaborative fieldwork on post trafficking livelihoods in Nepal Nina Laurie School of Geography, Politics and Sociology, Newcastle University
Day Two: Wednesday 12th December 2012
Session 1 Doing International Development Fieldwork 'at Home' (9:00-11:00)
Much research on development topics requires researchers to do work 'at home'. For many international scholars 'the field' may well be the country they grew up in and one to which they 'return' to do fieldwork. For others doing research on development may well involve no overseas fieldwork at all. To what extent do these diverse relationships with the field as 'home' produce different sorts of knowledges? What are the challenges involved for researchers and what different options are available when boundaries become blurred?
Speakers:
What counts as development research? Development fieldwork in the UK: Matt Baillie Smith, School of Social Sciences, Northumbria University
Going 'home' to Peru for fieldwork Patricia Oliart, School of Modern languages, Newcastle University
Session 2: Open Session Group Reflection (11:30-12.30)
This will involve group work and facilitated discussions concerning reflections on fieldwork experiences, with questions formulated to ask to the supervisor panel in the afternoon.
Session 3: Fieldwork, Collaborators, Family, Friendships, and Future Careers (1.30-2.30)
This session will cover fieldwork and professional social relations. This will include discussions around family issues whilst on fieldwork and doing a PhD. It will address how having a family fits into thinking about future research and career options.
Session 4: Supervisor Panel (3.00 - 4.30)
This will involve a supervisor panel Q&A session including brief presentations from supervisors who have successfully supervised students doing international fieldwork on development topics. The panel will comprise supervisors who consider themselves to be development researchers as well as those who do not.
Panel members:
Marcus Power (Geography Department, Durham University)
Jonathan Rigg (Geography Department, Durham University)
Diane Richardson (School of Geography, Politics and Sociology, Newcastle University)
Session 5 Roundup (4.30-5)
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