Doing Public Ethnography: How to Create and Disseminate Ethnographic and Qualitative Research to Wide Audiences

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 158 pages
Publication date: 13 July 2018
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Over the past three decades, ethnography and qualitative research methodology have experienced a remarkable surge in the diversity of styles and genres. This expansion has also seen a significant expansion and diversification of communication modes and channels. Ethnographers now have the opportunity to disseminate their work not only through traditional writing but also through a wide range of aural, visual, performative, hypertext, and multimodal documentation strategies. However, many ethnographers still feel inadequately skilled in these new literacies and opportunities for knowledge mobilization, limiting themselves to traditional modes of communication despite their desire for innovation.

As university-based, community-driven, and politically mandated agendas for broader knowledge transfer continue to grow worldwide, the demand for public scholarship is on the rise. This book advocates for the need to disseminate innovative ethnographic knowledge more widely and effectively, providing practical strategies and tools for sharing ethnographic and qualitative research through widely accessible media such as magazines, trade books, blogs, newspapers, video, radio, and social media. Drawing from practical experiences and hands-on lessons, Doing Public Ethnography offers social scientists across all disciplines with concrete tactics for mobilizing knowledge beyond the academic realm.

The proliferation of styles and genres in ethnography and qualitative research methodology has been accompanied by a significant expansion and diversification of communication modes and channels. Ethnographers now have the opportunity to disseminate their work through a wide range of aural, visual, performative, hypertext, and multimodal documentation strategies. This includes traditional writing, as well as aural, visual, performative, hypertext, and multimedia documentation. However, many ethnographers still feel inadequately skilled in these new literacies and opportunities for knowledge mobilization, limiting themselves to traditional modes of communication despite their desire for innovation.

As university-based, community-driven, and politically mandated agendas for broader knowledge transfer continue to grow worldwide, the demand for public scholarship is on the rise. This book advocates for the need to disseminate innovative ethnographic knowledge more widely and effectively, providing practical strategies and tools for sharing ethnographic and qualitative research through widely accessible media such as magazines, trade books, blogs, newspapers, video, radio, and social media. Drawing from practical experiences and hands-on lessons, Doing Public Ethnography offers social scientists across all disciplines with concrete tactics for mobilizing knowledge beyond the academic realm.

The expansion of communication modes and channels has facilitated the dissemination of ethnographic and qualitative research to a wider audience. Ethnographers now have the opportunity to reach a global audience through various media platforms, including magazines, trade books, blogs, newspapers, video, radio, and social media. This has increased the visibility and impact of ethnographic research, allowing it to reach a broader range of stakeholders and contribute to social change.

However, the increased accessibility of media platforms has also presented challenges for ethnographers. Many ethnographers feel inadequately skilled in these new literacies and opportunities for knowledge mobilization, limiting themselves to traditional modes of communication despite their desire for innovation. This can result in the underrepresentation of marginalized communities and the perpetuation of power imbalances in knowledge production and dissemination.

To address these challenges, it is important for ethnographers to develop new skills and competencies in these areas. This includes learning how to use digital tools and technologies to create and disseminate ethnographic and qualitative research, as well as developing strategies for engaging with a diverse range of audiences and stakeholders. It also involves recognizing the importance of collaboration and partnerships with other researchers, community organizations, and policymakers to ensure that ethnographic and qualitative research is used to inform policy and practice.

In conclusion, the proliferation of styles and genres in ethnography and qualitative research methodology has facilitated the dissemination of ethnographic and qualitative research to a wider audience. However, the increased accessibility of media platforms has also presented challenges for ethnographers. To address these challenges, it is important for ethnographers to develop new skills and competencies in these areas, as well as recognize the importance of collaboration and partnerships with other researchers, community organizations, and policymakers. By doing so, ethnographic and qualitative research can continue to play a vital role in shaping our understanding of the world and contributing to social change.

Weight: 266g
Dimension: 157 x 232 x 10 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138086432