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Paper short abstract:

This paper explores the emotional dimensions of fieldwork, focusing on women researchers navigating patriarchal contexts. Drawing on my PhD fieldwork in Pakistan, I highlight the insufficient preparation for emotional challenges and advocate for gender-aware mentorship to enhance researcher support.

Paper long abstract:

In this presentation, I explore the emotional dimensions of fieldwork, particularly as a woman researcher navigating themes of patriarchy within a deeply patriarchal context. While protecting participants from emotional risks is widely emphasized (Taquette et al., 2022; Allmark et al., 2009), researchers’ own emotional challenges are rarely addressed in methodological literature (Hubbard et al., 2001). Development literature critiques Western researchers for constructing narratives that reinforce Western authority while sidelining local perspectives (Escobar, 1995) and for "romanticizing" local voices through a cultural relativist lens (Smith, 2014). Yet, limited attention is paid to women researchers from the Global South, trained in the Global North, conducting research in their regions.

This presentation reflects on my PhD fieldwork in Pakistan and examines the complexities of navigating power dynamics and emotional labour in research settings (Hubbard et al., 2001; Hochschild, 2019). While my dissertation examined local interpretations of global gender equality goals in girls' education, this presentation addresses the inadequate preparation provided by Global North institutions for researchers to navigate emotional challenges, particularly within gendered power dynamics.

I recount two incidents where male participants, while discussing girls' empowerment policies, delivered lengthy, emotionally charged monologues about gender, religion, and feminism. These raised ethical dilemmas about whether to correct misconceptions or prioritize centering local voices, leaving lingering emotional effects.

I propose comprehensive fieldwork preparation that includes mentorship from experienced, gender-aware researchers to help manage the intellectual and emotional complexities of research in patriarchal contexts.