30th November 2001

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Research in violently divided societies can be a dangerous business, as the recent murders of journalists in Afghanistan and Northern Ireland vividly illustrates.

And behind the headlines, there are political scientists, charity researchers, census takers, and social researchers of many kinds who must carry out their work despite the tensions of these divided societies.

A new book edited by University of Ulster researcher Gillian Robinson and Marie Smyth, published this week, goes behind the headlines to examine how researchers cope when working in countries driven by disputes over race, ethnicity, religion and class.

The book, entitled Researching Violently Divided Societies looks at conflict situations in Eastern Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Northern Ireland and elsewhere aims to:

• Provide a guide to the issues faced by researchers working in violently divided contexts;
  
• Document the insights and practice wisdom of practicing researchers operating in such contexts; Afford access to the lived experience of those researchers and the ethical and methodological challenges which face them;
  
• Present accounts and analysis which illustrate a wide range of diverse experiences and perspectives on the experience of doing research in violently divided societies;
  
• Explore the involvement of the researchers with the research material and the impact of doing the research on them.

Joint Editor Gillian Robinson says: "In Northern Ireland we know of many instances when researchers have found themselves in personal danger. We also know that sufficient supports are not usually made available to researchers who are exploring aspects of divided societies - it can be very traumatic to hear the distressing experiences of respondents. We hope that this book will highlight some of the key issues facing researchers in violent societies and will help us provide better training and support to new researchers. This in turn should ensure that those we study are not exploited by the process and ensure that valuable outputs ensue."

Colleague Dr Marie Smyth added: "A range of ethical and practical issues are covered, and the demands of conducting research in war-torn and divided societies has stimulated the contributors to analyse issues such as the contribution of research to society, the benefit of research to respondents, and issues of objectivity - issues of concern to all researchers. However, in the often stark circumstances in which the contributors work, these issues take on an urgency and clarity that can potentially illuminate research practice generally."

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk