Invitation - Methodological seminar "Maps, Memories, and the Craft of Ethnography: Using Participatory Tools in Displacement Research in Conflict-Affected Communities"

On October 16, we invite you to a methodological seminar on "Maps, Memories, and the Craft of Ethnography: Using Participatory Tools in Displacement Research in Conflict-Affected Communities." Joel Abah, doctoral candidate at the Department of Peace, Security and Humanitarian studies at the University of Ibadan, and Lecturer at Prince Abubakar Audu University will reflect the methodological journey of conducting ethnographic research in displacement camps and conflict-affected communities in Benue State, Nigeria.

He will focus on participatory and relational tools, including oral interviews, oral cartography, memory mapping, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and digital documentation, to demonstrate how these methods emerged in response to challenges of insecurity, vulnerability, and relational dynamics in the field. Through autoethnographic reflection, the session will highlight moments of improvisation, setbacks, and surprises that shaped both access to participants and the iterative development of field-sensitive methods.

Participants will gain insights into how methodological decisions, positionality, and ethical considerations influence data collection and co-production of knowledge in challenging field contexts. The seminar emphasizes research as a craft, illustrating practical, relational, and experimental approaches to ethnography in situations marked by displacement, conflict, and social vulnerability.

Practical information

Date & Time : 16/10/2025, between 10am and 12pm

Venue: IFRA-Nigeria Resource Center, Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan

Registration: https://forms.gle/A6AJ7bVYFZgetgcb8

Deadline for registration: 10/10/2025

Biography

Joel Abah is a researcher and University lecturer specializing in displacement, memory, and ethnographic methodologies in conflict-affected contexts in West Africa. He recently completed over 24 months of fieldwork in displacement camps and communities in Benue State, Nigeria, where he explored memory practices, participatory mapping, oral interviews, and digital tools to understand the lived experiences of displaced populations. His work combines ethnography with participatory and GIS-based methods, emphasizing relational ethics, positionality, and the iterative nature of research in insecure settings. Joel’s research has been published in reputed outlets, with papers accepted in journals including Africa, Stability: International Journal of Security & Development, and the Journal of Peacebuilding & Development, among others. He has won  numerous travel grants to present papers at reputable local and international conferences, including IFRA-sponsored travel grant for Alternative Heritage and Vernacular Architecture: A Foundational Dialogue (Geo-Meridian in conjunction with IFRA-Nigeria), 2025;  Lagos Studies Association (LSA-IFRA-Nigeria Panel), 2025; the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA), Dakar, Senegal, 2023; Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP), 2023; and the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) Women in Governance Conference, 2023, in addition to numerous graduate research workshops. He is currently undertaking his PhD at the Department of Peace, Security and Humanitarian Studies, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.