Social research in the new normal: Trends, challenges and prospects for Gender, humanitarian and development practice

Abstract

This Paper explores emerging trends, challenges and prospects for gender, development and humanitarian efforts in the context of social research. Using secondary data, this Paper adopted the definition of the ‘New Normal’ as a concept or a state in which an economy or society settles following a crisis, when this differs from the situation that prevailed prior to the start of the crisis. The Paper discusses the concept of social research in the new normal from the viewpoint of complex humanitarian emergencies especially in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic and global insecurity and their impact on gender, humanitarian and development practice. Leveraging existing literature and experiences from the field, this Paper recommends that social research within the context of the ‘new normal’, can be adopted and used as a veritable tool to expand the field of knowledge, policy and programming across sectors especially as regards gender, humanitarian and development practice.