Appendix 1
179
Beyond allowing me to gain access to the Romani camp in a familiar and non-
threatening manner, and allowing me to move between the two communities my research
involves (Roma and non-Romani Athenians) without estranging members of one or the
other, MERIA has also allowed me several additional advantages. First, along the lines
of access, operating an NGO has provided a gateway to certain levels of government and
to international bodies and organizations that would otherwise be difficult to engage.
These contacts range from ministers and mayors to professionals from the private sector,
all of whom I have no informal contact with nor have informal contact with any of their
larger social networks. Yet, through MERJA's partners it has been possible to meet and
conduct research among this difficult set of consultants.
In Greece, once a professional working relationship has been formed, it is
possible to move among one's contact's professional network, acting as a private
researcher, following and remaining sensitive to the same social protocol that shapes
relationships in the informal sphere. Of course, gaining interviews by this method raises
important ethical concerns, especially regarding the power the researcher has in the field.
In my work, interviews with corporate contacts are strictly for academic purposes, are
confidential, and declared unrelated to MERIA activities. Here I am careful to protect
my consultant, the professional who referred me to the consultant, and also the
beneficiaries of MERIA. For this reason I establish an academic, informal relationship
with the contact through, for example, adhering to the code of behavior that governs
informal relations, thus ensuring that my symbolic gestures (such as seating position,
language, etc.) reinforce that the power in the relationship lay with the consultant. In the
case where the contact wishes to explore my professional activities I have found that it is
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