Description

In recent years, methodological reflection has taken on a renewed significance in the social sciences. Decolonial scholars, among others, increasingly engage with the challenges of conducting ethical, politically sensitive, and adequately reflexive research. This is especially important for scholars working with marginalized and at-risk populations, such as victims of labor exploitation. It is necessary to not only prioritize the safety and wellbeing of interlocutors, but also to actively involve them in knowledge production, thereby subverting dominant hierarchies in the academy and beyond. This requires rethinking methodology from data collection through analysis and publication.

These concerns were the central focus of the “Advanced Research Methods in Social Sciences” workshop held from February 10–12, 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Organized by the research unit “The Production and Reproduction of Social Inequalities,” the workshop brought together international researchers and students. The three-day event combined structured thematic sessions with student presentations, encouraging both theoretical engagement and practical skill-building. Case studies, such as those drawn from the research unit’s work with African migrant communities in the United Arab Emirates, played a central role. Key themes included researcher positionality, the power dynamics of knowledge production, an introduction to ethnographic methods, research ethics, and collaborative approaches.

This Research Unit is funded by the Volkswagen Foundation