Abstract
After decades of research immersed in the politics of the Middle East and South Asia, we are reversing the gaze (Rudolph and Rudolph, 2011) to reflect on the ways in which fieldwork has impacted our pedagogy. We find that being in close proximity or even participating in ones research setting; having conversations with ones research subject, both formally (surveys; structured interviews) and informally (everyday conversations and just hanging out) adds at least six layers of value and insight. In the paper we explore how these six layers connect to our own work. This manuscript takes a jointly authored, comparative regional look at fieldwork and pedagogy from a mixed methodological perspective. To demonstrate the power of active learning informed by fieldwork, we share examples of the types of learning via play that we use in our classrooms. We argue, after systemic and empirical exploration, that fieldwork informs effective teaching.