Researching Rupture: Engaged and Ethical Research on Extreme Nature–Society Disruption

Abstract

Abstract Global escalation in social and environmental disruption raises crucial methodological and ethical questions for researchers working in impacted communities. Interpretive social science and humanities research can make visible the experiences of those living through socio‐ecological “rupture”. Yet, there are important ethical and design challenges to face regarding: (i) the temporal and spatial scope of research; (ii) how we work with affective responses to extreme, cascading events; and (iii) how we address vulnerabilities and agency within shifting power relations. We examine these dilemmas through three case studies that illustrate why researchers need to reflec..