Adapting to the unpredictable: The story of a Norwegian-Russian study of NGOs in the Murmansk region during a pandemic

Abstract

This essay aims to contribute to the understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on a Norwegian- Russian social work research project. The reflexive act of writing about the project’s disrupted startup is an exercise of flexibility and dynamics in the research process. Well known grips for those of us working with qualitative inquiry. Still, the unpredictable landscape, uncertainty of what would come next, and the insecurity in the present moved us as researchers towards new local and contextual knowledge, forced by the pandemic’s extensive effects.

In (and about) this special issue: Things are NOT normal

“…While reflecting on the pandemic responses of two Asian cities, Sim (2021) contemplates how we can better care for the most vulnerable in the face of a global emergency and offers silver linings to a difficult situation. Working across borders of particular importance for their respective countries and the local regions,Sørly et al (2021) continuously readjust and re-evaluate during a time of increasing need and hardship due to the pandemic. the measures adopted by developed nations without carefully consideration Ross (2021).…”

Closings, crossings, and complications: The fluidity of borders and boundaries in qualitative social work

“…For example, when the pandemic halted international travel and disrupted working norms, social work researchers needed to find ways to create virtual bridges to maintain international partnerships. They needed to modify their research designs to meet the needs of residents in community-based projects (Sørly et al., 2021). Similarly, they needed to draw on the fluidity of their professional identities to adjust to service-delivery under crisis (Chan and Du, 2021).…”