A uniform front?: Power and front-line worker variation in Kakuma refugee camp, Kenya

Sackett, Blair

doi:10.1177/14661381221104288

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…While the research focuses on refugee populations, the studies included the recruitment and participation of five different populations, ranging in nationality, education, social class, and race, conducted in two countries. In this section, I will overview the recruitment processes in each study to provide a general context for the subsequent discussion of ghosting (see Sackett 2023 andSackett andLareau 2023 for a discussion of the full methodologies). To ensure confidentiality, all names of people and organizations in this paper are pseudonyms.…”

Section: Methodology: Overview Of Recruitment Activities In Two Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ghosted: Challenges to Conducting Qualitative Research in the Digital Era

Sackett

2024

Journal of Contemporary Ethnography

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Electronic forms of communication—including email, texting, and social media platforms—have increased the speed and ease of communication. Yet, a rise in non-response and ghosting (when someone ceases communication without an explanation) has been documented across contexts, from romantic dating to quantitative research studies. Surprisingly, the rise of electronic communication has received little attention in the methodological literature for qualitative researchers. Based on an analysis of virtual and face-to-face recruitment in two qualitative studies I conducted, I find that ghosting is a routine feature of digital recruitment. There are situational contexts in which ghosting is more common, including lags in the timing of communication and requests that are too overwhelming. “Old-school” methods, such as seeking sponsorship, strategizing outreach, and building rapport, can be adapted to help researchers capitalize on the benefits of electronic communication technologies in recruitment.

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Section: Methodology: Overview Of Recruitment Activities In Two Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ghosted: Challenges to Conducting Qualitative Research in the Digital Era

Sackett

2024

Journal of Contemporary Ethnography

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“…I also witnessed how the parents would first voice concerns to the STSK alumni staff before raising issues with non-alumni staff, Felicity, or Judith. This is an example of how elastic transnational stratification may present lesser-privileged people with authority (see also Sackett 2022).…”

Section: Nationality and Class As Markers Of Organizational Legitimacymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Nationality Class and Organizational Hierarchymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Within the NGO space, Sackett’s research highlights the shifting agency of NGO frontline workers (street-level bureaucrats) in providing services (Sackett 2022). She finds that frontline aid workers are given latitude to make decisions regarding client well-being given their “on-the-ground” position and social proximity to their clients (Sackett 2022). In addition to frontline workers having greater discretion because of the sheer volume of work, researchers might consider that frontline workers’ positionalities give them greater authority in addressing client needs and making key decisions.…”

Section: Nationality Class and Organizational Hierarchymentioning

confidence: 99%

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“SHE CAN GET A VISA”: How Nationality and Class Shape Decision Making at a Kenyan NGO

Harrigan

2023

Journal of Contemporary Ethnography

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Prior studies show how race, class, and gender matter for worker identities within organizations, but there is an opportunity to focus on worker nationality and class background within nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Using evidence from ethnographic fieldwork, in-depth interviews, and organizational documents at a small NGO in Kenya, I show how nationality and class mediate how NGO workers assign and accomplish organizational tasks. My results suggest that a process of elastic transnational stratification determines how nationality and class distribute tasks and decision-making power in relation to the location and organizational domain in which they must act. While both nationality and class are used as proxies for one’s proximity to power and influence, there are instances where less privileged identities are more strategic to deploy. Nationality and class shape access to various development spaces, the amount and type of resources one can attain on behalf of the organization, and legitimacy locally and at the global level.

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“It was really helpful for me, and at the same time it was really tough”: a qualitative study among Afghan peer refugee helpers in Greece

Lavdas,

Sandal,

Bendixsen

2024

BMC Psychiatry

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Background Aid workers with a refugee background are increasingly engaged in the humanitarian field. These individuals, known as peer refugee helpers (PRHs), contribute to providing psychosocial support for other refugees. However, few studies have focused on the mental health and wellbeing of PRHs. Objectives This study aims to investigate the experiences of PRHs of Afghan origin in the humanitarian field in Greece. Methods Seven focus group interviews took place in a hybrid format, online or in-person. PRHs of Afghan origin (N = 18), working for various Aid/Humanitarian Organizations (AOs), participated. Data was analyzed using template analysis. Results The analysis identified job resources reflected in the dimensions of sense of coherence (meaningfulness, manageability, comprehensibility) and job demands associated with role overload, role conflict, and role boundaries. Gender differences were noticeable. Specifically, female PRHs experienced empowerment, through accessing new opportunities often not available within Afghan communities. Female PRHs frequently reported going against traditional gender roles and faced negative reactions from their peers. Male PRHs reported feeling empowered through their engagement as a PRH, as it helped them fulfill their personal goals, such as becoming a good example within their families or communities. Conclusions Recommendations for policymakers and AOs based on the study results include: (1) Offer training, supervision, and psychosocial support for PRHs to enhance work engagement and prevent emotional exhaustion; (2) Address gender differences ensuring the protection and support of female PRHs; (3) Adopt scalable psychosocial interventions to promote agency and a concrete way of engaging with beneficiaries; (4) Formalize job roles outlining responsibilities and expectations for PRHs.

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A uniform front?: Power and front-line worker variation in Kakuma refugee camp, Kenya

Cited by 3 publications

References 37 publications

Ghosted: Challenges to Conducting Qualitative Research in the Digital Era

Ghosted: Challenges to Conducting Qualitative Research in the Digital Era

“SHE CAN GET A VISA”: How Nationality and Class Shape Decision Making at a Kenyan NGO

“It was really helpful for me, and at the same time it was really tough”: a qualitative study among Afghan peer refugee helpers in Greece

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