ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses initial findings on the use of discourse analysis in the field as part of the research agenda proposed by Healy and Cunningham. It explores both the positive and negative aspects of employing this methodology. Discourse sources can include formal and informal government communication such as official minutes, policy statements, transcripts from press conferences, and text from proxies, such as friendly newspaper editors. Discourse analysis complements other research methodologies and should not be considered in isolation; rather, a robust context analysis should be inclusive of a focus on discourse. Context analysis is an essential aspect of humanitarian operations that involves assessing various factors such as troop movements, security events, power dynamics, changing boundaries, and interdependencies within the socio-economic and political realms. Incorporating a discourse methodology into the broader project of understanding and engaging with a place has the potential to serve as an additional pillar, complementing existing approaches and enhancing overall effectiveness.
