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Special Issue

Bd. 31 Nr. 1 (2025): Wechselseitige Verwundbarkeit: Privileg, Gewalt und Solidarität von der Feldforschung bis zur Wissenschaft

The Symbolic Violence of the Unspoken: Considering Physical Assault in Fieldwork

Eingereicht
October 10, 2023
Veröffentlicht
2025-11-13

Abstract

This paper explores the silence of my traumatic experience, the feeling of vulnerability, and insecurity that affected my fieldwork and the writing process. Drawing on the concept of “auto-reflexivity”, I address the “double violence”, experienced in the field and institutionally, where the lack of support in my academic environment exacerbated existing trauma. I conclude with recommendations on how individuals, our discipline, and institutions can better prepare and care for researchers. It is crucial that anthropologists discuss and share their experiences by including them in anthropological literature and methodology courses.

Literaturhinweise

  1. Begley, Larissa R. 2009. “The other side of fieldwork: experiences and challenges of conducting research in the border area of Rwanda / eastern Congo.” Anthropology Matters 11(2): 1–11. https://doi.org/10.22582/am.v11i2.17.
  2. Cai, Yifan. 2019. “Confronting Sexual Harassment in the Field.” Made In China Journal, October 25, 2019. https://madeinchinajournal.com/2019/10/25/confronting-sexual-harassment-in-the-field/.
  3. Heinze, Jerika Loren. 2020. “Gauging the Toll: Auto-reflexivity, Sexual Violence, and Fieldwork.” Member Voices, Fieldsights, September 1, 2020 https://culanth.org/fieldsights/gauging-the-toll-auto-reflexivity-sexual-violence-and-fieldwork.
  4. Begley, Larissa R. 2009. “The other side of fieldwork: experiences and challenges of conducting research in the border area of Rwanda / eastern Congo.” Anthropology Matters 11(2): 1–11. https://doi.org/10.22582/am.v11i2.17.
  5. Cai, Yifan. 2019. “Confronting Sexual Harassment in the Field.” Made In China Journal, October 25, 2019. https://madeinchinajournal.com/2019/10/25/confronting-sexual-harassment-in-the-field/.
  6. Heinze, Jerika Loren. 2020. “Gauging the Toll: Auto-reflexivity, Sexual Violence, and Fieldwork.” Member Voices, Fieldsights, September 1, 2020 https://culanth.org/fieldsights/gauging-the-toll-auto-reflexivity-sexual-violence-and-fieldwork.