Of Disruptions, Fragmented Realities, and Fluid Boundaries...

Disaster studies in Southeast Asia present unique methodological challenges due to the region’s pluralities in governance structures, language, and cultural contexts. This workshop draws from my fieldwork experiences in the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines (BIMP) subregion, where I have an ongoing project on flood preparedness among urban communities. Through case studies and interactive group discussions, participants will explore the application of patchwork ethnography as a critical approach to navigating divergent realities and shifting boundaries in disaster research.

The workshop will critically examine key questions: How can researchers effectively overcome language barriers when conducting fieldwork in linguistically diverse settings? What strategies can be employed to navigate complex bureaucratic processes while conducting disaster research in the BIMP region? How does one’s positionality as a Global South scholar impact the research process, and how can we embrace reflexivity to produce more ethical and grounded analyses?

Participants will gain insights into practical approaches to tackling these challenges and will have the opportunity to discuss how patchwork ethnography can be adapted to their own research contexts. The workshop aims to foster a deeper understanding of the fragmented and dynamic realities of disaster governance in Southeast Asia, ultimately contributing to more nuanced and contextually informed research practices. By engaging with these critical questions, participants will develop a greater appreciation for the complexities of conducting disaster research in the Global South and explore ways to navigate these complexities through innovative methodological approaches.