How can researchers ensure their work helps refugees, not just studies them?

Researchers should aim to conduct research 'with and alongside' communities. This involves building strong relationships, involving participants in shaping research questions and analysis, and actively seeking ways to give back, such as offering skills training. The focus should shift from 'researching about' to 'collaborating with'.

What is the 'Peer' methodology in research with displaced populations?

The Peer (Participatory Ethnographic Evaluation and Research) approach involves community members as 'peer researchers.' They help collect, analyze, and disseminate data within their own social and professional networks, promoting a rights-based and empowering research process.

How can universities better support refugees through educational programs?

Universities should focus on creating dedicated spaces for interaction, both online and in-person, and ensure students have a key point person for support. Conducting thorough needs analyses and offering tailored academic skills training is crucial for successful integration and academic success.

What are the ethical risks of researching vulnerable populations like refugees?

Researchers must be aware of the potential for re-traumatization when asking sensitive questions. There's also a risk of eroding trust if the research feels exploitative. Additionally, peer researchers from within the community can face challenges navigating insider/outsider dynamics.

Should sympathy be a primary motivator for refugee research or employment?

While sympathy can drive individuals within organizations to help, it may not translate to institutional practices, which often focus on practicalities like onboarding costs. For research, focusing on relationship-building and concrete contributions is more effective than sympathy alone. A 'savior complex' should be avoided.

How can research projects ensure lasting impact beyond the funding period?

Sustainability needs to be designed into projects from the outset. This can involve institutional commitments to maintain resources, trusting and empowering local organizations to take ownership of tools and approaches, and potentially influencing funding bodies to allow for implementation and capacity building alongside pure research.

What are 'aspects' and 'constraints' in research framing?

Framing research around 'aspects' means focusing on individuals' relevant characteristics (like educational background or prior experience) rather than just labels like 'refugee.' 'Constraints' refer to contextual limitations (like internet access or attendance issues). This approach helps build deeper understanding and find common ground.

What is the danger of a 'colonialist mirror' in research?

This refers to a research dynamic where researchers extract data and knowledge from a community without genuine exchange or return, treating participants merely as subjects. It highlights a power imbalance and a lack of reciprocity, mirroring historical colonial practices.

How can researchers prepare themselves to work with refugee populations?

It's crucial to prioritize understanding the context and the lived experiences of the people you wish to study. Engage with their stories, learn about their background, and prepare yourself emotionally and expectantly for the realities they face before diving into the research methodology.

Research with refugees and displaced populations - Migration Summit 2023

MIT OpenCourseWare

Education3 min read87 min video

May 5, 2023|215 views|5

migration displacement livelihoods refugees education workforce development MIT ReACT storytelling migration summit research research with refugees displaced poppulations

Save to Pod

Key Moments

TL;DR

Researchers discuss challenges and ethical considerations in conducting research with refugees and displaced populations.

Key Insights

Ethical considerations are paramount when researching vulnerable populations, including the risk of re-traumatization and the need for rapport-building.

Language barriers extend beyond literal translation to cultural understanding, impacting researchers' ability to connect with and understand participants.

Research methodologies should prioritize participatory approaches, empowering refugees and displaced individuals in the research process.

Addressing preconceptions and biases from locals towards refugees is crucial for social cohesion and effective research.

Integrating locals and understanding their needs alongside refugee perspectives is essential for holistic program development.

Researchers must move beyond colonialist research practices by ensuring knowledge is co-created and shared equitably.

Focusing on specific aspects and constraints of individuals, rather than broad labels like 'refugee,' can lead to deeper understanding and broader collaborations.

Sustainability in research collaborations requires building capacity within local organizations and designing for long-term impact from the outset.

The motivation for research can stem from genuine belief in participation rights and the transformative power of education, not just sympathy.

Funding structures often hinder practical implementation and sustainability by prioritizing research over direct community support.

THE CHALLENGES OF RESEARCHING REFUGEE POPULATIONS

The session highlighted significant challenges in conducting research with refugees and displaced populations. Dilara noted difficulties in obtaining ethical permissions and the struggle to find scientifically validated peace education programs from NGOs, which often lack rigorous assessment. Language barriers are a major hurdle, extending beyond mere translation to encompassing cultural understanding and the ability to build human connection, hindering researchers from uncovering deeper issues beyond superficial positive responses. Furthermore, research can inadvertently exacerbate local tensions if the needs and perspectives of host communities are ignored, leading to resentment and prejudice.

PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES AND EMPOWERMENT

Kula introduced the Participatory Retrospective Evaluation and Research (PRER) method, emphasizing its qualitative and participatory nature. PRER involves peer researchers from within the community, empowering them to collect data, discuss research questions, and analyze findings. This approach ensures that research is context-specific, rights-based, and promotes the agency of marginalized individuals. The goal is to shift from researching 'on' or 'for' refugees to researching 'with' and 'alongside' them, fostering genuine collaboration and knowledge co-creation.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS AND MITIGATING HARM

A critical discussion revolved around the ethical implications of research with vulnerable populations. Panellists stressed the potential for re-traumatization through sensitive questions or even simple prompts. Researchers are urged to be mindful of participants' experiences, employing 'resourcing' techniques at the end of interviews to help individuals feel grounded and supported. The importance of building trust and prioritizing relationships over immediate research outcomes was underscored, as harm can be subtle and long-term, impacting future engagement and willingness to share.

ADDRESSING LOCAL PREJUDICE AND FOSTERING SOCIAL COHESION

The impact of research on host communities was a significant point. Providing aid or focusing solely on refugees without considering locals can breed resentment. Researchers emphasized the necessity of including local perspectives and needs in their studies and programs to foster social cohesion. A lack of basic information about refugee situations, such as funding sources, often fuels prejudice, making it vital for researchers to disseminate accurate information and engage local populations as active participants in finding common ground.

DESIGNING FOR SUSTAINABILITY AND CONTRIBUTING BACK

The conversation addressed how to ensure research benefits extend beyond the project's funding period. Strategies include designing for sustainability from the outset, building capacity within local organizations, and allowing participants to take ownership of tools and resources. While funding models often restrict implementation, a shift towards prioritizing community needs and collaborating with existing local initiatives is crucial. This involves moving beyond mere 'sympathy' to a genuine belief in refugees' rights to participate and lead their own development processes.

REFRAMING RESEARCH FOCUS AND COLLABORATION

Evan suggested framing research around specific aspects and constraints faced by individuals rather than broad labels like 'refugee.' This approach allows for deeper participant understanding, clearer research questions, and unexpected collaborations by focusing on transferable skills and contextual challenges that may be shared across different populations. This method also helps reach a broader audience by making research more relatable to those outside the immediate field of refugee studies, bridging divides through shared challenges in education or other domains.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Organizations

●People Referenced

Common Questions

Key challenges include difficulties in obtaining ethical permissions, language barriers hindering deep communication and understanding of lived experiences, and potential for locals to develop prejudice due to perceived preferential treatment of refugees. Additionally, researchers must be mindful of the potential for re-traumatization when asking sensitive questions.

Topics

Displaced Populations Ethical Research Migration Studies Cultural Sensitivity Research Sustainability

Mentioned in this video

organizationThe Garage Foundation

One of the organizers of the Migration Summit.

organizationSave the Children

Mentioned as an organization that develops peace education programs for refugees.

organizationMiddle East Technical University

Dilara's institution where she works as a research assistant and PhD candidate in the Guidance and Psychological Counseling department.

organizationOpen University

The Open University in the UK, where Kula works. It is the first open and distance university in the world and offers scholarships to asylum seekers and refugees.

organizationWashington University in St. Louis

Emily's university, which received a large endowment to start a program for recently resettled refugees.

organizationHack Your Future Belgium

An organization that offers free web development training to refugees and migrants in Belgium, with which Evan Cole worked.

organizationUNESCO

Mentioned as an organization that develops peace education programs for refugees, though Dilara noted difficulties in finding statistically powerful assessments for their programs.

organizationMIT Refugee Action

One of the organizers of the Migration Summit.

eventMigration Summit