Interviews on masculinities in post-conflict contexts as a process of three translations

Abstract

This paper disentangles the complexity of using interviews to explore masculinities in post-conflict contexts. Deploying a practice-theoretic ontology, we see interviews as sites of multiple translations, each tied to one of the three stages of the interview process: preparing, conducting, and interpreting interviews. First, when preparing interviews, the abstract concept of masculinities must be translated into concrete issues. Second, when conducting interviews, these issues must be translated into interview questions. Third, interpreting interviews necessitates translating respondents’ statements into practices. By disentangling this complex process, we provide strategies for successfully asking difficult, context-sensitive questions and reach an increased understanding of the asynchronous and unsteady ways in which masculinities change or persist during peacebuilding processes in politically and societally polarised contexts.