Musicological research with refugees: Theoretical and Ethical Considerations

Mapping the main theoretical points emerging from research into musical and cultural practices with refugees in camps, refugee communities in cities, and exile communities, this chapter addresses issues concerning gender, ethnicity, and religion, among others. Focusing on the researcher’s responsibility and the risks entailed, it analyzes the need to address and theoretically deal with such challenges through ethics protocols and procedures. Given that many refugees are trauma survivors fleeing war and violence, the chapter devotes sections to trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder and the ensuing issues of ethics and methodology, trauma as a Western construct that can lead to the medicalization of survivors and stripping of their agency, researchers’ self-care, and music therapy for traumatized individuals.