Every academic researcher struggles with various problems during the research planning and execution. Many of these issues are common barriers in almost each research area in the field of security and organised crime. Therefore, this section offers the Blog writers a space to talk about common problems, dilemmas and the lessons learned to overcome them. The research focus will always differ from one project to another, but important lessons that we have learned can help to overcome common pitfalls. Please be as concise as possible and offer specific questions, discussion points, suggestions, experiences, or references to academic work or common solutions.

• Fieldwork in Violence and Security: The Impact of Researcher Pregnancy, by Kari Mariska Pries, July 2014
• New visions for violence reduction strategies in Mexico, by Natalia Cervantes, June 2014
• 2014 Presidential Elections in El Salvador, by Kari Mariska Pries, March 2014
• Jorrit Kamminga in Afghanistan, December 2013
• Violent Pluralism and Disorganised Crime, by Juan Carlos Ruiz, Verena Brähler, Alexandra Abello Colak and Susan Hoppert-Flaemig, November 2013
• What does “security” mean in Kenya? by Verena Brähler, September 2013
• Interview with Researching Security, with Susan Hoppert-Flaemig, Alexandra Abello Colak, Jorrit Kamminga, Alejandra Otamendi and Verena Brähler, June 2013
• Why do we research security? by Jorrit Kamminga, January 2013