Navigating Fieldwork Research: Challenges and Insights from Graduate Students

Session Submission Type: Roundtable

Abstract

This engaging roundtable showcases the diverse experiences of graduate students who have undertaken fieldwork across continents, spanning from the Middle East and North Africa to Europe and Asia. The goal of this roundtable is to underscore the certain challenges and insights garnered by graduate students during their fieldwork journeys. In this discussion, we will delve into the often overlooked nuances of fieldwork that go beyond the typical classroom curriculum, sharing valuable tips for the preparation, execution, and optimization of fieldwork experiences. Our conversation will encompass a comprehensive exploration of various fieldwork methodologies, including but not limited to interviews, participant observation, and archival research. Throughout our discussion, we will address the obstacles encountered during all fieldwork processes and provide practical insights and strategies to effectively navigate them. Join us as we distill invaluable lessons from our collective experiences, offering a unique perspective on the intricate art of conducting fieldwork as a graduate student.

Sub Unit

• General Paper and Panel Submissions

Chair

• Ayse D Lokmanoglu Boston University

Presenters

• Ozlem Tuncel Georgia State University

• Busra Nur Ozguler Aktel University of Maryland, Baltimore County

• Eddy Yeung University of Oxford

• Ronay Bakan Johns Hopkins University

• Daniela Osorio Michel German Institute for Global and Area Studies