This week’s course featured Russian journalist and academic Dr. Anna Litvinenko, who appropriately for our class is a country expert on Russia and among many topics studies the role of elections in Russia. Dr. Litvinenko shared her experience with the class and made some insightful points regarding political sensitivity in the context of researching in a country like Russia.
First, she pointed out that it is very hard to collect “accurate” data in Russia and other Post-Soviet countries. Often, official statistics are not reliable and are often manipulated, serving a certain image that the regime tries to portray. Therefore, researchers need to question and critically analyze such data before making use of it. In my opinion, this holds for both democratic countries and non-democratic countries, though I believe that in the latter group manipulated data can tell a story that provides insights into what agenda the regime is trying to promote. Thus, Dr. Litvinenko’s first strategy is to carefully examine the data from these countries.
Secondly, Dr. Litvinenko emphasized the role of personal contacts in such countries, as they help access political figures who would otherwise be reluctant to meet with researchers and journalists. As such, when she conducted research in and on Azerbaijan, she hired someone who would introduce her to locals, who would otherwise not talk to her. This social network also extends to social media networks. In the Ukraine, even editors in chief would not answer emails though they would reply to messages sent on Facebook, where they can see who the mutual friends are and thereby better asses if the person is trustworthy. Once an interview is scheduled, Dr. Litvinenko emphasized the importance of cultural sensitivity. In addition, interviewers need to get the interviewee out of the cynical box and show some degree of understanding, in order to encourage the interviewee to open up more.
Finally, the ethical dimension is crucial in “getting things done”. Researchers and journalists have to be aware of the risks their sources face. As such, the mode of communication is important in protecting sources who might be persecuted: are emails a safe communication channel? Is there a chance that calls and text messages are monitored? Dr. Litvinenko concluded by urging us to be conscious of the fact that at times, what might seem safe and innocent to us may actually put another person in danger.
As the case of British PhD candidate Matthew Hedges shows, researching in the UAE does not come without danger. Thus, for this blog, I decided to pay even more attention to data I use and to the language used in my posts, which I intend to be culturally sensitive. Finally, given that at times I consult a friend on topics regarding the UAE, it remains crucial to refrain from putting him in an inconvenient position, where a certain answer could get him in trouble or requires him to express thoughts he does not want to share on a platform that may not be safe.
Manhattan of the Middle East 