Researching peacebuilding in Africa: reflections on theory, fieldwork and context

"This book examines the multifaceted nature of conflict and the importance of the socio-economic and political contexts of conflict and violence and shows how to support ongoing initiatives and programs to build sustainable peace on the African continent. Drawing on a range of conceptual framings in the study of peace and conflict, from gender perspectives to institutionalist to decolonial perspectives, the contributors show how peacebuilding research covers a whole range of questions that go beyond concerns for post-conflict reconstruction strategies. Chapters focus on the methodological, theoretical and practical aspects of peacebuilding and provide a toolbox of perspectives for conceptualizing and doing peacebuilding research in Africa. Anchored in African-centered perspectives, the book encourages and promotes high-quality interdisciplinary research that is conflict-sensitive, historically informed, theoretically grounded and analytically sound. This book will be of benefit to scholars, policy makers and research institutions engaged in peacebuilding in Africa"-- Publisher's description

Overview of Recent Trends In African Scholarly Writing On Peacebuilding / Festus Aubyn, -- When theory meets method: Feminist peace research in Africa and how to make the strange familiar and the familiar strange / Heidi Hudson -- A Mission to Civilize: The Liberal Idea of Peacebuilding in Africa / Thomas Tieku -- Ismail Rashid, The Ethics of Research and Fieldwork-based in Conflict-affected Settings / Ismail Rashid -- The Application of Qualitative Research Methodology in African Contexts / Kenneth Omeje -- Quantitative Research Methods in Field-Based Peacebuilding / Olayiwola Erinosho -- Understanding Complex New Wars in Africa: The Example of The Sahel / Amy Niang -- Researching Women, Unpaid Care Work, and Peacebuilding in Darfur / Fatma Ibnouf -- Research in a Conflict and Peacebuilding Context: Narrations from Fieldwork in Nigerian Violent Theatres./ Jimam Lar -- Epistemological and Methodological Considerations in Peacebuilding Research : Experiences from the Borana of Ethiopia / Asebe Regassa Debelo -- A critique of the conceptual documents that frame UN and AU practice of Peacebuilding / Norman Sempijja -- Doing Research in the 'Silicon Savannah': Digital Media, Peacebuilding and Constructions of (In) Stability in Kenya / Duncan Omanga and Pamela Mainye -- Postconflict Emotions at Home: Researching Zimbabwean Soldiers / Godfrey Maringira.

"This book examines the multifaceted nature of conflict and the importance of the socio-economic and political contexts of conflict and violence and shows how to support ongoing initiatives and programs to build sustainable peace on the African continent. Drawing on a range of conceptual framings in the study of peace and conflict, from gender perspectives to institutionalist to decolonial perspectives, the contributors show how peacebuilding research covers a whole range of questions that go beyond concerns for post-conflict reconstruction strategies. Chapters focus on the methodological, theoretical and practical aspects of peacebuilding and provide a toolbox of perspectives for conceptualizing and doing peacebuilding research in Africa. Anchored in African-centered perspectives, the book encourages and promotes high-quality interdisciplinary research that is conflict-sensitive, historically informed, theoretically grounded and analytically sound. This book will be of benefit to scholars, policy makers and research institutions engaged in peacebuilding in Africa"--