Intermediaries in conflict zones

opportunities and challenges of fieldwork in Political Science

Abstract

Local brokers offer numerous opportunities for researchers conducting fieldwork in conflict zones. Brokers connect researchers to networks of interlocutors, provide access to target communities, and facilitate the research process. For doctoral candidates conducting fieldwork for the first time, brokers can be crucial for navigating and investigating environments marked by high levels of political violence. However, there are also multiple challenges associated with them, such as research biases that may be introduced. Drawing on my own fieldwork experiences in Kenya, this article aims to explore some of the opportunities and challenges created by collaboration with local brokers. The researcher/broker relationship should be critically analysed to ensure ethical best practices and transparency.