Policy Press

Queer Conflict Research

New Approaches to the Study of Political Violence

Edited by Jamie J. Hagen, Samuel Ritholtz and Andrew Delatolla

Published

Jun 10, 2025

Page count

278 pages

Browse the series

Gender, Sexuality and Global Politics

ISBN

978-1529225051

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press

Published

Feb 19, 2024

Page count

278 pages

Browse the series

Gender, Sexuality and Global Politics

ISBN

978-1529225044

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press

Published

Feb 19, 2024

Page count

278 pages

Browse the series

Gender, Sexuality and Global Politics

ISBN

978-1529225068

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press

Published

Feb 19, 2024

Page count

278 pages

Browse the series

Gender, Sexuality and Global Politics

ISBN

978-1529225068

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press
Queer Conflict Research

Bringing together a team of international scholars, this volume provides a foundational guide to queer methodologies in the study of political violence and conflict.

Contributors provide illuminating discussions on why queer approaches are important, what they entail and how to utilise a queer approach to political violence and conflict. The chapters explore a variety of methodological approaches, including fieldwork, interviews, cultural analysis and archival research. They also engage with broader academic debates, such as how to work with research partners in an ethical manner.

Including valuable case studies from around the world, the book demonstrates how these methods can be used in practice. It is the first critical, in-depth discussion on queer methods and methodologies for research on political violence and conflict.

“Queer Conflict Research embraces multiplicities in what it means to 'queer' studies of war and peace. Across overlapping identities and methodologies, contributors to this volume engage creative and deeply humane ways to approach queer research. This book will provide lasting inspiration to both beginning and more experienced researchers looking to push across disciplinary boundaries toward more compassionate research grounded in the experiences of queer subjects whose lives have been touched by conflict.” Lauren Wilcox, University of Cambridge

Jamie J. Hagen is Lecturer in International Relations at Queen's University Belfast where she is also the founding Co-Director of the Centre for Gender in Politics.

Samuel Ritholtz is Departmental Lecturer in International Relations in the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Oxford in association with St Hilda’s College.

Andrew Delatolla is Lecturer in Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Leeds.

Introduction: Telling Queer Stories of Conflict – Jamie J. Hagen, Samuel Ritholtz, Andrew Delatolla

Part 1: Queer Approaches to Conflict Research

1. The ‘Queer’ in Conflict Research As Subject, Structure, and Method: Initial Epistemological Considerations for the Early Career Researcher – Samuel Ritholtz

2. Queering the Politics of Knowledge in Conflict Research – Jose Fernando Serrano Amaya

3. Workshop As Queer Feminist Praxis: Insights From Colombian Queer and Trans Women Organising for Peace – Jamie J. Hagen

Part 2: Queer Methods of Conflict Research

4. The Visual As Queer Method – Dean Cooper-Cunningham

5. Poetry as a Queer Epistemological Method: Disrupting Knowledge of the Lebanese Civil War With Etel Adnan’s the Arab Apocalypse – Andrew Delatolla

6. Queer Tools for the Ruthless Archive: Methodological Notes on Trans and Queer History for Doing Archival Research – Patricio Simonetto

Part 3: Queer Experiences of Conflict Research

7. Researching Queer Lives in the Shadow of Northeast Nigeria’s Conflict – Chitra Nagarajan

8. Entangled Intimacies, Queer Attachments: Reflections on Fieldwork With a Diaspora of War – Ahmad Qais Munhazim

9. Doing NGO Research With Diverse Sogiesc Refugees in Lebanon, Syria and Turkey: A Conversation – Zeynep Pınar Erdem, Charbel Maydaa, Henri Myrttinen and Helena Berchtold

Conclusion: Thinking (of) Queer Conflict Research – Laura Sjoberg

Appendix I: Guide for Good Practices for Researching Queer and Trans Communities in Highly Sensitive Contexts – Cristian González Cabrera, Erin Kilbride, Kyle Knight, Yasemin Smallens, Rasha Younes

Appendix II: “The Emotional Work Is Part of the Work”: Strategies To Maintain Researcher Emotional and Psychological Safety During Challenging Fieldwork – Maureen Freed