While you will also find my CV and list of publications on this website, this blog was initially created to describe how I conduct field studies in neuroscience. Currently, you will find information about the research projects I conducted in Rwanda and Cambodia, as well as projects with the military, and with inmates in prisons.
There are numerous reasons that sparked my interest and motivation in conducting field research. These reasons aren’t ranked in any specific order of importance, but they each carry significant weight in shaping my research direction and goals.
One of these key motivations is the need for neuroscience research to move beyond its predominantly Western-centric perspective. Neuroscientists and sometimes psychologists have limited knowledge about human cognition in cultures found in parts of the world where neuroscience does not or barely exist. Neuroscience indeed primarily focuses on WEIRD individuals, which stands for Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic. As a global science, neuroscience has an obligation to incorporate diverse cultural, social, and geographical contexts into its scope of study. It is crucial that our understanding of the brain and human cognition is not limited to a Western lens, but rather, is reflective of a more globally inclusive perspective. This requires studying diverse populations, with unique experiences and backgrounds, in various parts of the world.
One of the initial aim of this blog is thus to demonstrate that despite the challenges it entails, conducting field research is absolutely worthwhile and feasible, not only as a human experience but also for studying human cognition at a broader level. I will also report interactions, difficulties, anecdotes, etc. that happened during field research.
Another strong motivation is the drive to employ our knowledge and methodologies in ways that make a positive, meaningful impact on the world. The power of scientific research lies not just in advancing theoretical knowledge, but also in its ability to improve the human condition, beyong the academic circle. This could be through creating better mental health interventions, improving educational systems, informing public policies, or even helping communities recover from traumatic events. In essence, I believe in using neuroscience research not just for knowledge’s sake, but as a tool to make tangible, positive changes in society. I have be willing to offer my methods and knowledges for projects that can have a positive impact on individuals and societies, hence my frequent collaborations with NGOs.
However, achieving such impact is not easy. This is due not only to methodological challenges that I won’t delve into here, but also practical considerations such as the search for funding. Let’s be honest: when I initially approached some funding agencies with the idea of conducting research in Rwanda, for example, they rejected some of my grant proposals, expressing “serious concerns about feasibility.” This blog demonstrates clearly that such research is largely feasible.
I have chosen a research path that involves complex questions and reveals some of the darkest aspects of human behavior. Working on such research topics, with these populations, is impactful, and it can also affect one’s own emotional well-being. For this reason, the way this blog is written includes some anecdotes, as well as humorous and not-so-humorous interactions that occurred during these trips. This approach allows me to tackle these complex issues with a degree of lightness. I will thus also share my experience as a researcher working on obedience to authority. When the public reads scientific articles or books, they can appreciate the scientific results, but they often have no idea about what goes on behind the scenes. For example, on my first trip in Rwanda, a woman ran towards me with a machete because I was taking a picture of a landscape. Another time, an inmate told us he could put us in a trash bin and sneak us into his cell unnoticed. However, other inmates elicited deep feelings of compassion from us concerning their conditions in prison. Globally, this research involves a real emotional thrill ride. For instance, on some days our work includes interviews with former perpetrators of genocides in Rwanda or Cambodia, offering unique insights into their perspectives. On other days, we talk with survivors of genocides, who fight to recover from the trauma they experienced. Or we talk to genocide rescuers, who risked everything including their own lives to save unknown individuals.
Throughout the pages of this blog, I will offer a glimpse into what it is like to conduct such projects.
Do not hesitate to contact me for collaborations or research projects that will send me on unexplored lands!
Emilie A. Caspar 