On April 8, 2025, I was honoured to lead a masterclass on qualitative methods and ethical challenges in the study of the urban night, held at the amphitheatre of the Institut National d’Aménagement et d’Urbanisme (INAU) in Rabat, Morocco.
Titled “Explorer la nuit urbaine: méthodes qualitatives et enjeux éthiques,” this session was organized in collaboration with the research laboratory LAPSIS. Over the course of three hours, we explored a range of methodological tools adapted to nocturnal fieldwork, discussed the ethical dilemmas commonly encountered in night-time research settings, and reflected on best practices for navigating complexity in urban environments after dark.
The masterclass brought together students from the fourth-year DINAU training programme, as well as participants from other cohorts—offering an open and lively space for dialogue on responsible and context-sensitive research.
Moderated by Professor Ftouhi Hind, the event also created space for candid conversation about the often-overlooked challenges faced by field researchers, especially in non-traditional or low-light environments where observation, safety, and relational dynamics demand careful calibration.
As a sociologist affiliated with CIES-Iscte in Lisbon, my research focuses on nighttime cultural life, urban transformations, and public space. This masterclass provided a valuable opportunity to share insights and experiences with a new generation of scholars invested in the future of our cities and their nightscapes.
Manuel Garcia-Ruiz 