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

Find Stories from The Field at Columbia University Press or Amazon

The Stories from the Field Podcast is back for a second season! In this introductory episode of Season 2, Ora and Peter reunite to preview the new season line-up and look back on the origins of the podcast and the co-edited book that it’s based on. Season 2 focuses on research on civil war across the globe, bringing together scholars from a wide range of perspectives. This season’s conversations will cover everything from doing research in one’s home country, to the special importance of research ethics in scholarship on armed conflict, to the significance— and challenges—of impartiality when conducting field research. Enjoy, and welcome back to Stories from the Field !

0:14 - Welcome and Intro

1:20 - Origins of the Podcast, Continuation of the Discussion in the Book

2:30 - First Season Highlights

4:15 - Who is This Podcast For?

6:40 - This Season’s Theme: Research on Civil War

8:59 - Overview of the Season 2

9:52 - Upcoming Episodes

Publications Mentioned in This Episode

1. Krause, Peter, and Ora Szekely, eds. Stories from the Field: A Guide to Navigating Fieldwork in Political Science. Columbia University Press, 2020.
2. Krause, Peter. “The Strategies of Counter-Secession: How States Prevent Independence.” Nations and Nationalism 28, no. 3 (2022): 788–805. https://doi.org/10.1111/nana.12822.
3. Souleimanov, Emil Aslan, David S. Siroky, and Peter Krause. “Kin Killing: Why Governments Target Family Members in Insurgency, and When It Works.” Security Studies 31, no. 2 (2022): 183–217. https://doi.org/10.1080/09636412.2022.2079997.
4. Daly, Sarah Zukerman, and Peter Krause. “Whose Side Are You on? Balancing Impartiality and Proximity in the Study of Civil Wars.” Conflict, Security & Development 24, no. 6 (2024): 621–44. https://doi.org/10.1080/14678802.2024.2435057.
5. Szekely, Ora. Syria Divided: Patterns of Violence in a Complex Civil War. Columbia University Press, 2023.
6. Jumet, Edited by Kira D., and Merouan Mekouar, eds. Doing Research as a Native: A Guide for Fieldwork in Illiberal and Repressive States. Oxford University Press, 2025.
7. Cheng, Christine, and Christopher Day. “Research Ethics and the Study of Armed Actors: Process vs. Practice.” Conflict, Security & Development 24, no. 6 (2024): 501–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/14678802.2024.2436546.

Producers: Nathaniel La Blanc, Katherine Tan, Claire Geratz

Find Stories from The Field at Columbia University Press or Amazon

In this special final episode, we weave together numerous lessons from throughout the book and podcast, from the value of unstructured time in the field to the surprising parallels between hosting a podcast and doing fieldwork. Using some of our favorite interview clips and book readings, we reflect on the excellent advice our contributors shared and talk about why we love field research. We also turn the mic on our producers! If you only listen to one episode from this podcast, this is it.

Producer: Harper Barbaree
Editors: Zeyad Anwar, Abigail Hamilton, Garrett Madden, Gabriel Wallen, Lila Zarella