Human Rights for Refugees and Other Marginalised Persons - A Midrash Methodology

This book provides a new framework for conducting qualitative research into Asylum Seeking Refugees based on Emmanuel Levinas' ethic of the face-to-face encounter. The methodology originates in the term Midrash-a narrative form that exposes; investigates; searches. It reconceptualises encounters between Asylum Seeking Refugees and those researching their experiences in a manner that moves beyond the possibility of 'Othering' and the removal of 'voice' that can characterise research into refugees. This methodology allows a complex and rich multidimensional text, with heterogeneity of voices, experiences, and subjects. As a phenomenological method of research, the internal phenomena of the researcher-feeling, intuition, and personal perception-are legitimate sites of knowledge and understanding, and are not considered separate from the external, objectively observable world. While the researcher is not researching herself, she is also not separate from the research field and data. The Midrash methodology is an honest and explicit method of research designed to (re)invigorated the passion of academics and researchers.

Devorah Wainer is an honorary associate at the University of Sydney, Australia, in the School of Social and Political Sciences. Her PhD dissertation was awarded a place on the Chancellors list for outstanding scholarly research. Refusing to remove agency from her already disempowered research subjects Devorah developed the interdisciplinary Midrash Methodology. She has lectured internationally and spoken at conferences globally on the methodology that is based on the philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas. Devorah has also gained international recognition for her clarity and understanding of Levinas' philosophy. She is also recognized for her approach to Human Rights that goes beyond law to the Humanities.