Should I stay or should I go? Incorporating a commitment to fieldwork throughout an academic career

Abstract

In this paper, four researchers who share a commitment to applied research and fieldwork methodologies reflect on the ambiguities associated with maintaining and adapting this commitment to changing professional, personal, and contextual situations. The authors focus on the use of fieldwork for the study and support of agricultural change in sub-Saharan Africa, as an example of a setting and topic in which long-term work in the field can improve understanding and support contextualized development. In analyzing a range of experiences associated with maintaining and adapting fieldwork approaches, we complicate and build upon the assertion that professional development pulls international development practitioners and applied researchers away from the field. The experiences analyzed in this paper suggest that the situation of changing orientations toward the field is not dichotomous, and that instead, a commitment to fieldwork can result in innovative approaches to remaining at least partially focused 'outward' and 'downward.' We argue that the epistemological underpinning of situated fieldwork, which recognizes partiality in knowledge and understanding, also requires reflexivity on the part of applied researchers. The reflections and analysis presented here broaden and ground conversations about research ethics, methodological consistencies, and innovative approaches to fieldwork.

Interrogating the technocratic (neoliberal) agenda for agricultural development and hunger alleviation in Africa

“…The four papers that follow in this special issue open up this research terrain in new and exciting ways, while building on geography's long standing and deep involvement with agriculture and food security issues (National Research Council [NRC], 2010). Geographers' commitment to fieldwork in their study of food and agriculture is also touched on by Jones et al (2015) in this issue. The reality is that the dominant conception of how best to address food insecurity may have actually regressed under the new constellation of public and private actors working on African agriculture and food security.…”

“…This is an agenda that conceptualises African agriculture that is locally oriented and disarticulated from the global economy as a major problem. Indeed, proponents argue that the existing agricultural model is holding back development, depriving the global economy of needed food stuffs, and exacerbating hunger on the continent (Horta, 2009). The solution to these problems is a 'New Green Revolution for Africa', an approach involving the use of hybrid seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides to boost crop production (Annan, 2007;Toenniessen, Adesina, & DeVries, 2008).…”

Conflating Privilege and Vulnerability: A Reflexive Analysis of Emotions and Positionality in Postgraduate Fieldwork

“…(For an analysis of the intersection of emotions and leaving the field, see Caretta and Cheptum forthcoming; see also Jones et al 2015). The length of our fieldwork sessions ranged from 7 to 8 weeks.…”

“…Johanna sometimes did not consider herself to be a "real geographer", as she lived alone and was not continuously taking part in locals' everyday life activities. Nevertheless, based on her previous research experience, she preferred a private and comfortable living environment to mitigate her personal vulnerability (see also Ballamingie and Johnson 2011;Jones et al 2015).…”

“…According to other feminist geographers (see e.g., Sharp 2005), her commitment had a direct impact on locals. Still, it did not help to erase the apparent divide between the participants and Martina, who had another life somewhere else and could unplug from the field if needed (see also Jones et al 2015). Similarly, Johanna used her position as a privileged scholar with technical means to improve the cartographical knowledge and GIS skills of local scholars who could ultimately provide respondents with better maps and help agricultural communities to counteract illegal land acquisition.…”