Abstract
High levels of violence and conflict in Latin America have attracted the interests of local and international researchers to further understand how to reduce this violence and prevent current and future outbreaks. Conducting research in any environment is challenging. However, the obstacles facing not only researcher safety but also data collection methods are particularly complex in settings with high levels of violence and conflict. This article contributes to the methodological literature, as it provides reflections from two researchers, an insider from the Global South and an outsider from the Global North, each collecting data in Medellín, Colombia. It also argues the importance of collaboration between Global North and Global South researchers investigating violence and insecurity.
Highlights
In 2018, 42 out of the 50 most violent cities in the world were located in Latin America (Seguridad, Justicia y Paz 2017)
This article makes an important contribution to the methodological and urban violence literature, as it presents the experiences of an outsider researcher from the Global North and an insider from the Global South, collecting qualitative data in Medellín, Colombia
In an effort to gain further understanding of the realities of violence in Latin America, researchers are encouraged to take a qualitative approach to their work, such as by conducting fieldwork (Abello-Colak and Pearce 2015; Auyero, Burbano de Lara and Berti 2013; Baird 2012; Berents and ten Have 2017; Moser 2004; Moser and McIlwaine 2004)
Summary
In 2018, 42 out of the 50 most violent cities in the world were located in Latin America (Seguridad, Justicia y Paz 2017). This article makes an important contribution to the methodological and urban violence literature, as it presents the experiences of an outsider researcher from the Global North and an insider from the Global South, collecting qualitative data in Medellín, Colombia. While this city has recently experienced a reduction in homicides, different forms of violence continue to affect the daily lives of residents (Dávila 2018; Doyle 2019a, 2019b). The article provides recommendations to the global academic community as to how some of these imbalances can be addressed
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