Researching Over-Researched Societies

In the context of a steady increase in the number of postgraduate, post-doctoral and established researchers conducting fieldwork on peace and conflict-related themes internationally, this chapter explores the challenges associated with researching identity groups, communities or geographical locations which have been deemed ‘over-researched’. Having first explored and problematized the label of an ‘over-researched society’, and the reasons why some individuals, communities and locations garner more research attention than others, the chapter seeks to sensitize the reader to the potential constraints and compromises which go with the over-researched territory, and to provide practical advice and strategies to consider before, during and subsequent to conducting field research.