Contributions from European Symbolic Interactionists Reflections on Methods

KNOWLEDGE-MAKING AND

ITS POLITICS IN CONFLICT

REGIONS: DOING RESEARCH

IN ISRAEL/PALESTINE

Christine Leuenberger

ABSTRACT

This paper is based on a personal journey of starting a long-term sociolo-

gical research project in a conflict zone: the research was to be carried

out in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. The question posed is: what

sort of problems and concerns arise for researchers and ethnographers

who work with traditionally marginal communities in violently divided

societies? In an attempt to provide an answer, I focus here on such issues

as: the social constructions of fears and dangers in what are perceived to

be dangerous places; difficulties of access to traditionally underrepre-

sented and marginal social groups; useful methodological and ethical pre-

cepts for doing research in risky environments; as well as the advantages

of workingwith, rather thanoncommunities. Moreover, I suggest that

conducting research in politically and socially unstable contexts puts into

stark relief the advantages of conducting participatory and collaborative

research. Such approaches provide researchers with networks of trusted

Contributions from European Symbolic Interactionists: Reflections on Methods
Studies in Symbolic Interaction, Volume 44, 19
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ISSN: 0163-2396/doi:10.1108/S0163-239620150000044003
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