Conclusion: The Constructive Tension of Interdisciplinary Endeavours

Abstract

This chapter seeks to bring together the diverse lessons provided throughout the volume. The chapter first returns to the five key strengths of the Ethnographic Peace Research (EPR) approach as described in the Introduction to describe how they are related and to what extent they are facilitative elements, required elements, or potentials of an EPR approach. A preliminary definition of EPR is then provided based on these distinctions. The chapter then progresses to address an interdisciplinary tension which became clear over the course of editing this volume, which evidences the challenges of interdisciplinary work, and which highlights the difficulties faced in the effort to consolidate a robust EPR agenda. The chapter concludes, however, by noting the need to see this as a generative tension and something to build on. The process of developing a new approach to Peace Research which can forward the local turn will not be simple, but it is required.