Abstract
This chapter explores what it means to carry out research about coping in a disaster setting, when the researcher is a survivor herself. It reflects upon the meaning of relative closeness or distance to the research field and examines the larger issues that arise regarding qualitative research insights and processes that accompany such international research cooperation. The author uses her own experience as a survivor–researcher to the broader issues of role multiplicity, power, and epistemology that she experienced during the 3-year process of collaborative research. She discusses the potential of various levels of empowerment that come along with being addressed as an expert (by experience), a junior researcher, and a research coordinator.
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Notes
- 1.
The term “survivor” came to Indonesia in the context of international post-tsunami recovery programs. It then spread among activists and academics who introduced the Indonesian version of survivor: penyintas. This new terminology has found its way into official government language. Among villagers, this relatively new term is only beginning to spread and most still refer to themselves as “victim” (korban).
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The editors would like to thank Elise Serbaroli for her assistance in editing this chapter.
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Rengganis, N. (2014). Reflections of an Earthquake-Survivor Researcher. In: Zaumseil, M., Schwarz, S., von Vacano, M., Sullivan, G., Prawitasari-Hadiyono, J. (eds) Cultural Psychology of Coping with Disasters. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9354-9_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9354-9_7
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