Artistic and creative methods in ethnographic research – a workshop held at Tampere University on Thursday June 6th , 2024.
Participant observation and interviews are the most commonly used tools to gain knowledge in ethnographic research. In the past few years, there have been increasing attempts to make more collaborative projects and to produce different kinds of data and knowledge. Often, these attempts are also justified as ways to make research projects more meaningful and enjoyable for the participants. Consequently, artistic and creative methods have become increasingly common among ethnographers. These include, first of all, visual methodologies including participatory drawing or photo projects and ethnographic film-making. But there are also other artistic and creative methods one can use, including the use of sound, music, movement, creative writing etc. In this workshop we elaborate on the various creative and artistic methods we have used (or plan to use) in our ethnographic projects. What kind of knowledge can we gain with artistic or creative methods? Does the use of such methods make research more collaborative and democratic? Whose experiences and views become heard or seen and whose experiences and views remain silent or invisible with such methods?
The workshop consists of participants’ short presentations and discussions. The presentations can be in Finnish or English. The workshop is multidisciplinary and meant for anyone involved or interested in using creative or artistic methods in ethnographic research. Students doing their master’s thesis or PhD are particularly welcome. The workshop will take place in Tampere University. Participants are encouraged to come to the workshop in person but online participation is also possible. The workshop is free of charge. The schedule of the workshop will be confirmed once the number of presentations is known.
Send your proposed title and abstract (maximum 250 words) to mari.korpela@nulltuni.fi and riikka.era@nulltuni.fi by February 29th, 2024.
The workshop is organized by the project “Expatriate Childhood: Children’s Experiences of Temporary Migration”, funded by the Research Council of Finland, in collaboration with Tampere University and the Finnish Anthropological Society.
