Data collection and security in difficult field conditions

– a workshop for researchers interested in Danida research grants (FFU projects)

Jointly organized by University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS) and Danida Fellowship Centre (DFC)

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There will be room for 50 participants. If interest exceeds capacity, DFC reserves the right to allocate places based on institutional and geographical considerations. In this case, live streaming of the meeting will be made available for those who cannot be present.

Why this workshop?

Data collection for research in the Global South has always posed a series of difficulties. However, it seems that some of the challenges have been accentuated in recent times. Some countries and regions are from time to time very difficult to visit – especially for Europeans whose presence is especially visible. Moreover, the presence of European researchers can prove a liability to local researchers. Research and capacity building are still important activities in these countries and should not be suspended without reflection on the actual possibilities for these activities.

The recent/present corona pandemic has motivated people to think creatively about how to conduct research with severe restrictions in movement. Some of the creative methodologies that have come to the fore in this context are equally useful if the reasons for limited access are unrest, or instability.

Even if data collection can partly or fully be conducted in the field, security and risk may still
be relevant considerations. This has always been the case, but it would seem that the research community has not addressed these challenges in a very explicit or systematic way.

Expected output

The present workshop has two purposes. First, we wish to present and exchange experience among researchers who have obtained or wish to obtain an FFU grant which includes data collection and training in this field. The objective is to make the research community, the FFU and DFC aware and familiar with a series of data collection techniques and develop a useful, light, instrument for information sharing. This will enable applicants to be explicit about contingency methods for areas where travel and presence is not unproblematic. Second, we wish to discuss what realistic measures researchers can adopt in terms of preparing for operating in insecure settings. This may also, eventually, become part of future FFU application material.

The specific output will be the definition of two additional specific types of information that the applicants for FFU grants will have to supply to be eligible for grants. This will be relevant where FFU considers a contingency plan necessary for reasons of unpredictability and risk.

Preliminary programme

Welcome: Christian Lund, UCPH
Why the need for contingency planning in FFU research?

Introduction: Tove Degnbol, Evaluation, Learning & Quality, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Morning session – methods (short presentations 10 minutes plus q/a, and discussion about how to get further info)

• Photo voice – Mariève Pouliot, UCPH
• Remote collection of survey data – Mariève Pouliot, UCPH
• Working through assistants – Kasper Hoffmann, UCPH
• Interview on the phone – Mattias Borg Rasmussen, UCPH
• Remote research in Somalia and Kenya
• How to secure data in the cloud in real time – Helene Maria Kyed, DIIS
• Sourcing data on social media platforms – Helene Maria Kyed, DIIS
• How to build up remote and digital ethnographic method skills with South research teams – Helene Maria Kyed, DIIS

Discussion: Is there a good repository – how to exchange experience in future?

Possible role of DFC in collecting experience e.g. by sharing relevant links

Lunch/sandwiches

Afternoon session

• Continuation/wrap up of the morning session– Christian Lund, UCPH
• Security preparation before field work – the experience by DIIS – Helene Kyed and Peer Schouten, DIIS
• The importance of contingency planning – FFU representative

Discussion, including participants’ experience from security and risk management

• Wrap up of the session; considerations about how to include security and risk management in requirements to FFU projects – Tove Degnbol Evaluation, Learning & Quality, Ministry of Foreign Affairs