Fieldwork in Sociology of Crime in a Violent-Ridden Favela in Brazil: Reflections on the Influence of the Researcher's Gender

The ethical and methodological challenges related to the status of women when conducting surveys of male groups are not new issues. However, they are particularly relevant in the fields of criminology and sociology of crime, long dominated by men, but in which the growing presence of women contributes to making this discussion more crucial than ever. This study contributes to this debate by reflecting on how gender interacts with other facets of the researcher's social identity, creating different dynamics depending on the actors targeted - police or drug traffickers - both characterized by male domination. The fieldwork was conducted in a police district of a major Brazilian metropolis including a neighborhood identified as a hotbed of homicide and illegal drug trade. In particular, the analysis examines issues related to the researcher's personal safety when she meets these antagonistic groups. Although this study concerns a specific geographical area, the observations and conclusions could be applied to other Brazilian urban spaces and other countries.