DSA group study day: Methodological challenges of researching religion in marginalized development contexts

Research in the social sciences has typically been characterised by either quantitative or qualitative research methods, with the value judgements implicit in them rarely discussed. When researching religion and its role in development processes, do the values and epistemologies of the development agency, the researcher and the researched have to be laid bare? Can the institution of religion – if it can placed under this analytical category – be researched like one would research other institutions which regulate human interaction? Given the ubiquitous presence of religion in marginalized development contexts, how one answers these questions matter not only for the research itself but also for the impact it may have on development agencies in transforming people’s lives.

Programme

10.15-10.30: Coffee and arrival

10.30-10.45: Introduction to the day

10.45-11.45: Researching religion at the urban margins in Latin America (introduced by Ana Lourdes Suarez, Catholic University of Argentina, Buenos Aires)

11.45-12.30: Islamic perspectives on research methodologies (introduced by Zahid Pervez, Markfield Institute of Higher Education)

12.30-13.00: General discussion: Academic and FBOs perspectives around development research (introduced by Islamic Relief Academy)

13.00-13.50: Lunch*

13.50-14.30: Researching religion in refugee and humanitarian situations (introduced by Jonathan Smith, University of Leeds)

14.30-15.30: Hindu perspectives on research methodologies (introduced by Shaunaka Rishi Das, Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies - TBC)

15.30-15.45: Tea break

15.45-16.30: The place of evidence and evaluation in religious institutions (introduced by Daniel Wroe, Centre for Development Studies, University of Bath)

16.30-17.45: Future directions and strategic planning for the DSA study group

18.30: Dinner in town

* The Bath University Islamic Society holds Friday prayers in building 3 West North (room 3.7) at 13.20.

There is no registration fee. To register, please email Séverine Deneulin at s.deneulin@bath.ac.uk.

The event is financed by the British Academy International Partnership Mobility Scheme, grant PM150043, ‘Urban inequality and youth wellbeing in Latin America’s informal settlements’