Looking back at ... TNOC-Masterclass "Challenges of Sensitive Fieldworks"

As part of the research programme Hidden Narratives on Transnational Organised Crime in West Africa a research training programme was organised on the theme: “Challenges of Fieldwork: Data Collection in Sensitive Situations”. A six days masterclass took place at the Nigerian Academy of Letters, University of Ibadan from September 13th to 19th, 2021.

This masterclass was hosted by IFRA and coordinated by Dr Elodie Apard, Dr Ini Dele Adedeji, Dr Adam Higazi and Dr Precious Diagboya, who all have experienced challenging fieldwork in their research. 

Prof. Saheed Aderinto, Dr Philippe Frowd , Dr Vincent Hiribarren, Dr Gernot Klantschnig and Dr Cyrielle Maingraud-Martinaud, and were invited as guest speakers.

Eight participants were selected (among an impressive cohort of candidates):  Adegbenle Semiu, Aliyu Rilwan Abdullahi, Aremu Lateef Olalekan, Mahmoud Yusuf, Musbahu Ismail,  Njoku Chukwudi Gbadebo, Ogbebor Ejemen, Ogundairo Abosede Janet. All of them are currently conducting a research work - as part of a Master or a PhD - that involves a risky, touchy and/or morally engaging fieldwork. 

“Sensitive topics” or “sensitive locations” imply a situation in which the researcher has to be especially cautious and prepared. This may entail risks for the researcher and the studied populations, because of a dangerous or volatile environment and/or existing social/cultural taboos about the research topic.

Sensitive fieldwork may include research with participants who face particular vulnerabilities and should be approached with particular care and consideration. This can vary from engaging with participants who have a mental health condition, to those with a precarious legal status, or those engaged in criminal activity. Serious ethical challenges are also often part of this type of research.

The masterclass was thought to be a week of research training through research practice and a time for the researcher to take distance from their field and engage themselves in a reflexive process. Alternating theoretical and practical fieldworks sessions, participants and coordinators addressed collectively and individually the following questions: How to position oneself in a sensitive field? What are the consequences of the researcher's positionality on the production of data? What are the methodological challenges in sensitive situations and how to overcome them?

The group was divided in 2 research teams who conducted fieldworks on the following topics: 

• Sexual Harassment Policies on University of Ibadan campus 
• Cattle trade and inter-communities relationships in Akinyele Cattle Market (Ibadan).

These practical sessions aimed at confronting the participants to their positionality in a new field, and ultimately fostering their reflexivity on their own research.

The risky, sensitive and/or “morally engaging” fieldworks/topics all participants were engaged in led to methodological but also ethical questions.

At the end of the week, participants and coordinators were asked to write a short individual paper summarizing their reflexive approach towards their own work. Following the work produced by a belgo-congolese research group (Bukavu Series), these 12 papers will be edited and published on IFRA’s website as a tool for further reflection within academia in dealing with sensitive situations. 

Group picture with coordinators and participants.

Participants during theoritical session

Participants on the field in Akinyele Cattle Market.

Picture from the research group on sexual harrasment in University of Ibadan.