Second of four Ethnography Tuesdays in 2017-18

9:45	Refreshments
10.00 – 10.15	Introductions via elevator pitches
10.15 – 1.30	Interactive sessions

10.30-11.30

Being Virtuous Perpetrators?

Professor Marie Andree Jacob, Keele’s School of Law

During this session, I would like us to reflect together a little more about duty and virtue, as they often infuse our minds as ethnographers. To help us do this we will juxtapose the work of researchers with that of artist photographer Sophie Calle. With her irreverent approach, Calle tests the limits of what it means to work with persons, be they subjects, research subjects, objects, or muses.

11.30-12.30

Fieldwork accidents: risks and potential of the interaction with participants

Eleonora Natale, Keele’s School of Politics, Philosophy and IR

A typical concern of ethnographers is the risk of compromising the rapport with participants at any time, especially when exploring thorny issues. In this session we will discuss ‘accidents’ with informants that are likely to happen in the field. Antonius Robben’s reflections on ‘ethnographic seduction’ will offer valuable insights on how to deal with the challenges of interacting with controversial actors and transpose this tension into the written text.

12.30-1.15

Interactive exercise around ethnographic fieldwork

Dr Eva Luksaite, Keele’s School of Medicine

1.15-2.15                        

Lunch and networking

2.15-3.30                           

Research seminar: Growth and its governance

Professor Marie Andree Jacob, Keele’s School of Law

I will share research thoughts based on two ethnographic projects in institutional settings: a small informal organisation on its journey to become a global charity, and a highly scrutinised organ transplant unit in a large hospital. Both deal with an expansion of their object of interest. The ethnographers looking at them thus need to expand their practice too. Instead of offering you a thick description of the sites, I’ll use phases of the fieldwork as analytical categories in their own right and as points of entry: I’ll talk about entry and access to institutions, and exit from them; recruitment; reading documents ethnographically; and concepts of participation and growth.

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Ethos and format

Ethnography Tuesdays are one-day training events organised by links@Keele and held at Keele University. The main objectives of these days are to provide you with an understanding of contemporary approaches to conducting ethnographic fieldwork and writing ethnographies. The training will help you develop knowledge of and hands-on practice with fieldwork techniques and methods, including around dealing with ethical dilemmas, challenging fieldwork situations, innovative data collection methods, writing field notes, using visual methods and analysis with specialist software. Ethnography Tuesdays will typically include a range of activities: keynote lecture, workshops, networking opportunities, roundtable discussions, ‘speed dating with ethnographers’, etc. Each day will always include a contribution by an Early Career Researcher and a keynote lecture by a seasoned ethnographer and established researcher.

For who?

The Ethnography Tuesdays at Keele University are part of links@Keele Advanced Methods Training. These training days (10 am – 3.30 pm) are open to postgraduate students and researchers at all career levels. There is no fee, but registration to attend an Ethnography Tuesday is required. When places are limited priority will be given to (1) ESRC NWSS DTP and AHRC NWCDTP students, (2) postgraduate students and staff members from Keele University and (3) postgraduate students and researchers from other Universities.

Questions and feedback

We are here to help you with any questions you may have around Keele’s Ethnography Tuesdays. We also love to hear your feedback and suggestions.

Administrative questions: Ms Tracey Harrison (t.l.harrison@keele.ac.uk)

Academic queries: Dr Lisa Dikomitis (l.a.dikomitis@keele.ac.uk)

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Register now