Ethnography in Social Spaces
Key information
- Start date:
- 04 September 2024
- Attendance dates:
04 September 2024
- Time commitment:
- 1 day
- Venue:
- Distance learning
- Contact details:
- Carrie Lee
- Email: daycourses@surrey.ac.uk
- Dr Maria Adams
- Associate Professor
- Email: M.n.adams@surrey.ac.uk
Overview
This course will be open to anyone who is interested or has experience of working and researching groups in online, offline and institutional social spaces.
In this course, we will provide an in-depth understanding on adopting ethnographic methods in a range of social spaces.
In this session, we will aim to explore different ethnographic methods that can be used in a variety of online, offline and institutional social spaces, and identify practical ways to collect data.
The course will introduce a range of traditional and creative qualitative ethnographic methods; and how they can be used in different social spaces through practical examples and in your own research design.
In addition we will explore the opportunities and challenges faced by researchers using ethnographic methods in different social spaces, and how to overcome those challenges.
This session will explore the ethical considerations when discussing conducting ethnographic research in social spaces and we will explore how gate keeping, power dynamics, and data protection needs to be considered within the research design.
This part of the session will also discuss the importance of reflexivity, and we will explore ways on how to capture your position in research, and ways to disseminate your experiences in the field.
Lastly, we will discuss ways on how to disseminate and generate forms of impact through ethnographic research.
This will be an online interactive session with a small group. We will provide research case studies, practical exercises, and group discussions to facilitate this session. Learners will be provided with the opportunity to apply new concepts to their own research design, with support from course leaders.
We encourage those who are working and researching vulnerable groups and issues to attend this course. We also open this course to academics, independent researchers, practitioners, charity organisations, and those working in the civil service.
Please note: this course does not cover the use of computer software programmes to assist qualitative data analysis. See events run by the CAQDAS networking project at the University of Surrey for training on specific CAQDAS packages.
Learning outcomes
- To explore the various ways in which researchers can use ethnography in a variety of social spaces
- To identify the opportunities and challenges in using ethnography in social spaces, with practical solutions to overcome challenges.
- To understand the practical and ethical considerations in research design.
Course content
- To understand the importance of ethnographic methods in online, offline and institutional social spaces.
- Theoretical and practical application in designing ethnographic research in online, offline and institutional social spaces.
- Supporting in planning research designs including recruitment, sampling, and engaging with gatekeepers in online, offline and institutional social spaces.
- Using creative methods in social spaces, including autoethnography.
- To disseminate ethnographic research, and ways to use research to demonstrate impact.
- Practical exercises in pairs and small groups.
- Final reflections, trouble shooting and ongoing sources of support.
Learning and teaching methods
Presentations, group discussions, guided exercises, past case studies, independent reading, independent group exercises.
Course leaders
Dr Maria Adams
Associate Professor in Criminology
Dr Robyn Muir
Lecturer in Media and Communications
Maria Adams is an Associate Professor in Criminology. Her research interests around prisons, families, and food. She has expertise in using qualitative and ethnographic approaches including research in women’s prisons and families of prisoners.
Robyn Muir is a Lecturer in Media and Communication in the Department of Sociology at the University of Surrey. She is an experienced social researcher, with expertise in facet methodology, audience research, creative methods, research with young people and autoethnography. Her research interests are in the representation of gender in cultural phenomenon, where she has published and won awards for her work on the Disney Princess Phenomenon. She also researches and publishes on influencer culture, working with young people to explore the opportunities and challenges of influencer culture in online and offline spaces.
Entry requirements
A basic understanding of creative methods in qualitative research.
Fees and funding
Price per person:
£98
UGPN student discount£138
UGPN staff discount£155
Education and charitable sector applicants£230
Government and commercial sector applicantsTerms and conditions
When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our policies and regulations and our terms and conditions. You are also confirming you have read and understood the University's prospective student privacy notice.
Further details of our terms and conditions will follow.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the commencement of the course. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read the full disclaimer.
Course location and contact details
Campus location
Stag HillStag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
- Email: daycourses@surrey.ac.uk
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH