Peripheral Vision: Views from the Borderlands is the programme’s bi-annual news bulletin, exploring new and emerging issues across our focus regions.

Localisation in the humanitarian and development sector involves shifting power and resources into the hands of local actors and delivery partners to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and ownership of humanitarian action. A core objective of XCEPT’s Local Research Network, is to emphasise the need for local knowledge and analysis to be reflected in international responses to conflict and support to peacebuilding. Engaging with and amplifying ground-level research supports a more nuanced understanding of complex conflict contexts, counteracting state-centric policymaking that can end up neglecting the needs of communities in border regions. Local knowledge is critical for building reliable and robust datasets that accurately reflect the experiences and perspectives of local communities. In this podcast, The Asia Foundation’s Nathan Shea speaks to three researchers undertaking data collection and analysis in Bangladesh, Somalia and Syria. They share their experiences working in conflict-affected border regions, discuss methods for engaging with local populations in challenging contexts, and share their insights on how to improve localization efforts in the research sector.

Disclaimer: The opinions, findings, and conclusions stated herein are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of XCEPT.