Researching Abroad: Reflections on Fieldwork in Zimbabwe
Researching Abroad: Reflections on Fieldwork in Zimbabwe
March 4, 2027 @ 17:45 – 19:00
Overview
Join Dr. Ryan Clarke as he reflects on the challenges of conducting research in Zimbabwe, and the stark contrasts he encountered.
Researching Abroud: Reflections on Fieldwork in Zimbabwe
Set against the backdrop of political change following Mugabe’s downfall, election violence, state monitoring, power cuts, hyperinflation and fuel shortages, this lecture reflects on the challenges of conducting research in a hostile and repressive environment. It also considers the stark contrasts Ryan encountered between privilege and poverty, and what these experiences revealed about researching difficult histories on the ground.
Bio:
Dr. Ryan Clarke is a currently a PGCE student at the Institute of Education, University College London. He previously was the Progression to Higher Education Advisor at West Suffolk College for several years.
He received his undergraduate, masters and PhD in History at the University of Essex and was a research associate at Midlands State University, Zimbabwe.
His specialism is Zimbabwean history with a particular focus on the Zimbabwean Liberation War/Rhodesian Bush War. His particular specialism is on counterinsurgency warfare, church-state relations, humanitarianism and human rights advocacy. He undertook field research in Zimbabwe in 2019 working in the National Archives of Zimbabwe and various church and charity archives. This is his story of that time….
Highlights
- 1 hour 15 minutes
- all ages
- In person
- Free parking
