“He walks as if he owns this place”: Ethics and politics of doing anthropology in a context of hostility and uncertainty

Abstract (English)

Drawing on a long term ethnographic fieldwork, and holding in mind the current global climate of violence and uncertainty, this paper proposes a discussion on the ethics of doing anthropological research in a context that is increasingly hostile and uncertain. The general understanding and standards of ethical research relies primarily on the verbal aspect of communication as means to navigate research contexts and to ensure an ethical conduct in the field. But what about walking, or breathing? Can a researcher’s “way of walking” do harm? Drawing on the anthropology of connection and the ideas of presence and REmbodiment, the paper explores the non-verbal aspect, specifically the act of walking, moving in such a challenging space.