Portholes of Ethnography: The Methodological Learning from ‘Being There’ at a Distance

Abstract

Ethnography is, in essence, an approach to social research reliant on ‘being there’ and ethnographic approaches to the social world have been widely taken up in sociological research. In this research note, we share our UK-based experiences of ethnographic fieldwork with professional practitioners during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic, when ‘staying at home’ was the antithesis of ‘being there’. In doing so, we highlight opportunities the pandemic presented to re-evaluate familiar qualitative methods, to develop new, remote ethnographic research strategies and to examine the limitations of conducting ethnography from a distance. We consider how far we stretch ‘ethnography’ in a socially distanced context, using what we call ‘portholes of ethnography’, and we outline how our learning informs the ways in which we can adapt research approaches – driven by relationality – in times of crises.

‘On Not Eating Rice Whilst Grieving’: An Exploratory Study on The Relationship Between Me Ro’ Death Ritual And Self-Management

“…Exploratory research is often qualitative, seeking to provide deep insight and understanding of a problem. In practical terms, this exploratory research uses an approach of social research that relies on 'being there' (Walsh et al, 2023). This study allows for detailed descriptions of situations and observable behaviors, while also capturing participants' experiences, attitudes, beliefs, thoughts and reflections in their own words (Marcén et al, 2013).…”

“…Such researchers are actively engaged with the subject of their research, offering a distinct and valuable perspective. Being insiders, they benefit from profound knowledge, efficient access, and the ability to build trusting relationships more effectively, given their embedded presence in the community and pre-existing connections (Marcén et al, 2013;Walsh et al, 2023). However, insider researchers encounter challenges associated with bias, such as social desirability bias, and ethical issues.…”

The Colonised Self: The Politics of UK Asylum Practices, and the Embodiment of Colonial Power in Lived Experience

“…In 2012, Teresa May, the UK's then Home Secretary announced that the government aimed to intentionally create a 'hostile environment' towards immigration (Gov.UK 2013). Whilst this ostensibly targeted those she described as 'illegal' immigrants (undocumented or irregular migrants), the 2014 and 2016 Immigration Acts led to an intensification of what scholars describe as 'everyday borders'-internal border checks that permeate everyday life, bureaucratically and symbolically, impacting all migrants' sense of 'belonging' and security (Brambilla et al 2015;Yuval-Davis et al 2017;Lewis et al 2017;Walsh et al 2022a). These Acts have broad impacts, but further criminalise those seeking asylum, by giving immigration officers the power to electronically tag and detain people appealing a decision (Wilcock 2019).…”