Kira Jumet and Merouan Mekouar join the podcast to share their insights on what it means to be a “native scholar” and all the complications and benefits that can bring to the process of field research. We talk about the benefits of knowing local languages, the question of citizenship (and other state-related challenges) as well as the very real struggles researchers may face to separate their personal identities and emotions from their academic research. As these challenges come into focus, the discussion turns to a central question many scholars must confront: Is it worth it?

0:11 - Introduction

1:43 - Kira and Merouan’s Origin Story

3:38 - What is a Native Scholar?

7:03 - Impact of Being a Native Scholar

11:23 - Findings Within Conflict-Affected Environments

23:45 - Professional and Personal Risks

29:29 - Advice for Future Native Researchers

37:35 - The Future of the Academic Field

44:32 - Advice for Listeners

Publications Mentioned in This Episode

1. Jumet, Kira D., and Merouan Mekouar, eds. Doing Research as a Native: A Guide for Fieldwork in Illiberal and Repressive States. New York, New York: Oxford University Press, 2025. https://academic.oup.com/book/59605
2. Mentioned Chapters
   • Chapter 16: Shirin Saeidi (Iran)
   • Chapter 18: Omer Ozcan (Turkey)
   • Chapter 14: Maria Jose Diaz Reyes (Nicaragua)
   • Chapter 2: Hiba Zerrougui (Algeria)
   • Chapter 12: Taqadum Al-Khatib (Egypt)
   • Chapter 4: Mona Bhan (India-Controlled Kashmir)
   • Chapter 3: Syed Shah, Farooq Yousaf (Pakistan)
   • Chapter 6: Tewodros Zewdu Asfaw (Ethiopia)
   • Chapter 1: Izabela Steflja (Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia)
   • Chapter 7: Guilherme Marcondes (Brazil)
   • Chapter 9: Boris X. Martin Quijano (Cuba)
   • Chapter 13: Dilafruz Nazarova, Shahnoza Nozimova (Tajikistan)
3. Souleimanov, E. A., Siroky, D. S., & Krause, P. (2022). Kin Killing: Why Governments Target Family Members in Insurgency, and When It Works. Security Studies, 31(2), 183–217. https://doi.org/10.1080/09636412.2022.2079997
4. Ibrahimi, N., & Malejacq, R. (2024). Is it even worth it? The ethics of researching armed groups in ‘the field.’ Conflict, Security & Development, 24(6), 525–558. https://doi.org/10.1080/14678802.2024.2405613

Producers: Riley Copwood, Kendall Liesching, Helia Attar, Paul, Anna O’Donnell

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