Working Through Uncertainty: The Perils and Potential of Community-Engaged Research on Refugee Resettlement

Paul Van Auken, Orlee Hauser, D. J. Wolover, Bethany Lerch, Kenneth Jackson, Juyeon Son, Sarah Reed and Colin Crowley
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Paul Van Auken: Sociology Department, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI 54901, USA
Orlee Hauser: Sociology Department, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI 54901, USA
D. J. Wolover: Sociology Department, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI 54901, USA
Bethany Lerch: Sociology Department, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI 54901, USA
Kenneth Jackson: Sociology Department, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI 54901, USA
Juyeon Son: Sociology Department, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI 54901, USA
Sarah Reed: Sociology Department, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI 54901, USA
Colin Crowley: Sociology Department, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI 54901, USA

Social Sciences, 2019, vol. 8, issue 3, 1-26

Abstract: What can be learned from the process of community-engaged research (CER) on refugee resettlement? In the following, we share experiences, reflections, and lessons from implementing such a project. We begin with background on refugee resettlement and recent resettlement dynamics in the United States and Wisconsin, as well as literature on the study of refugees and this type of research more generally. Results and discussion are presented though our understanding of, and involvement with, the process via a framework of CER desired process outcomes, which we both propose and utilize to encourage effective efforts with marginalized populations going forward. CER is challenging and must be undertaken thoughtfully. One of the paper’s primary contributions is to share successes and failures in a transparent and unvarnished fashion. In particular, researchers need to share power and listen deeply, actions that will reverberate throughout such a process. Doing so comes with certain risks, and may be tangled, but also has strong potential to produce useful data, deep learning for researchers and participants, as well as empowerment of marginalized populations and relationship building that can yield future collaboration towards resilience.

Keywords: community-engaged research; refugee resettlement; process; participation; uncertainty (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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