Navigating Complexities: Insights from Conducting Fieldwork in Afghanistan

Abstract

This paper critically examines the challenges and dynamics of conducting fieldwork in Afghanistan through a feminist and decolonial lens. Drawing on experiences from fieldwork undertaken between 2014 and 2019, it explores how identity, positionality and power relations shape the practice of research in a conflict-affected setting. The analysis considers the intersection of the researcher’s positionality with complex local, national and international dynamics, highlighting the importance of ethical engagement and relational accountability in knowledge production. By interrogating the colonial legacies embedded in research practices and advocating for inclusivity, the paper contributes to broader debates on decolonising methodologies and feminist praxis in political science. Ultimately, it calls for a re-evaluation of research practices to amplify marginalised voices and promote more equitable knowledge exchange across academic and policy arenas.