Greg Barton

This paper examines a partnered approach to remote qualitative fieldwork implemented in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), a conflict-affected region in the southern Philippines where foreign researchers are subject to travel restrictions. Through collaboration between Deakin University, Australia and Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), we designed and supported 41 focus group discussions facilitated by 24 locally trained young researchers. Although remote fieldwork is often considered a second-best option, we argue that when carefully structured and ethically grounded, it offers distinct advantages in settings where outsider presence is constrained by insecurity or mistrust. Drawing on facilitator debriefs, author fieldnotes, and reflective discussions, we show how localised research delivery can enhance cultural relevance, ethical integrity, and data quality. The paper traces the research lifecycle from partnership formation to field training, facilitation, debriefing, and collaborative analysis—and illustrates how layered roles and structured reflexivity enabled high-quality data collection from a distance. The findings contribute to debates on remote and partnered methodologies, adapting research to complex environments, and the value of local knowledge production. We offer practical recommendations for researchers and institutions seeking to conduct inclusive, safe, and context-sensitive qualitative research in fragile or conflict-affected settings.

This book surveys the state of knowledge regarding development and humanitarian non-government organisation (NGO) responses to preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE). It delineates the nexus and shared objectives between P/CVE and development/humanitarian NGO frameworks and outlines a reframing of the concept of VE into violent and hateful extremism (VHE) as a shift to a more nuanced understanding which addresses inherent complexities and entanglements more deeply. The diversity of case studies, datasets, and author perspectives serves to advance knowledge on this topic and provide useful evidence and insights to inform policy and practice. This book will be a valuable resource for students, academics and professionals interested in international humanitarian, development operations and conflict resolution. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of Conflict, Security & Development.

This paper surveys the state of knowledge regarding development and humanitarian non-government organisation (NGO) responses to preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE). As well as delineating the nexus and shared objectives between P/CVE and development/humanitarian NGO frameworks, it outlines a reframing of the concept of VE into violent and hateful extremism (VHE), as a shift to a more nuanced understanding which addresses inherent complexities and entanglements more deeply. The Special Issue that this paper introduces is the product of a roundtable symposium held on this topic, with conceptual and empirical papers submitted by practitioners and academics who were invited to contribute due to their expertise in this area. The diversity of case studies, datasets, and author perspectives serves to advance knowledge on this topic and provide useful evidence and insights to inform policy and practice.

Please cite as: DOWNLOAD PDF Please cite as: Yilmaz, Ihsan; Triwibowo, Whisnu; Bachtiar, Hasnan & Barton, Greg. (2024). “Competing Populisms, Digital Technologies […]