Fieldwork Challenges of Genocide Studies Research: Rohingya Refugees

Fieldwork is a crucial part of genocide scholarship research. Studying genocide sites and interviewing survivors form a key part of empirical research carried out by genocide scholars, and are a crucial contributor to the in-depth analysis that scholars make. However, embarking on such research is incredibly an incredibly complex logistical process, particularly in the context of an ongoing genocide. What barriers exist for researchers seeking to undertake fieldwork of genocide sites or with genocide survivor refugees?
This paper will discuss the logistical challenges facing a researcher looking to research an ongoing genocide, using the case study of the Rohingya genocide. The paper will detail the author’s experience undertaking fieldwork in Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh, outlining the extraordinary logistical challenges faced to undertake such fieldwork. This will include preparatory stages and on-the-ground challenges, from paperwork to cultural considerations, and discussion of specific research challenges for women. It will include critique of ethics requirements, and how these are not necessarily fit for empirical research with genocide survivors. The paper will offer suggestions and guidance as to how hurdles can be overcome to enable a smoother fieldwork research process for genocide scholars.