Methodological Approaches in Kurdish Studies: Theoretical and Practical Insights from the Field

This edited volume explores the challenges of conducting fieldwork in settings with deteriorating security situations, increasing state control, and conflicting inter-ethnic relations, specifically in the region of Kurdistan in Iraq, Syria, and Turkey, as well as among Kurdish diaspora members in Europe. It includes contributions from scholars from various disciplinary backgrounds and emphasizes the need for creativity and adaptability in research methods to navigate the complexities of the field. The book also discusses the failures in the research field and highlights the importance of reflexivity and social justice in the research process. It is the first academic endeavor to focus solely on methodological reflections in Kurdish Studies and offers valuable insights for scholars conducting fieldwork in conflict regions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 282 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

This edited volume presents thirteen compelling contributions that delve into the intricate challenges researchers encounter when conducting fieldwork in environments characterized by deteriorating security situations, increasing state control, and conflicting inter-ethnic relations. More specifically, these contributions shed light on the complexities of conducting fieldwork on highly politicized and sensitive topics in the region of Kurdistan in Iraq, Syria, and Turkey, as well as among Kurdish diaspora members in Europe.

The volume is multidisciplinary in its approach, drawing contributions from scholars across various disciplinary fields, including sociology, political science, social psychology, and anthropology. The contributors have been compelled to be innovative and adapt their research methods in ways that sometimes transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries and conventions, given the complex security situations and atmospheres of distrust and suspicion.

Furthermore, the contributions address the often-overlooked topic of discussing the failures in what is often considered a "messy" research field. This necessitates a greater level of reflexivity regarding the existing power relations within the surrounding context and how they impact not only the interaction dynamics between the researcher and the participants but also raise critical questions for the overall research process, particularly in terms of social justice, representation, and knowledge production.

The contributions in this volume unravel these complexities by exploring positionalities beyond ethnicities, discussing the construction of gendered and other positionalities in fieldwork interactions, and illustrating how the surrounding structures of power and dominance shape these dynamics.

In conclusion, this edited volume offers valuable insights into the challenges and complexities of conducting fieldwork in settings characterized by deteriorating security situations, increasing state control, and conflicting inter-ethnic relations. It provides a rich tapestry of perspectives and methodologies that will be of interest to scholars, researchers, and practitioners working in this field.

Dimension: 229 x 158 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781498575232