Emotional and ethical challenges in qualitative and/or digital ethnography

This workshop is relevant for qualitative researchers and PhDs who make use of qualitative and/or digital ethnographic fieldwork.

In this workshop we aim to explore dilemmas and challenges related to:

• possible ideological, moral and political contrasting values between the researcher and the researched
• contrasting values and perspectives on marginalized identities and bodies between the researcher and the researched. 
• psychological distress after long-lasting exposure/observation in vulnerable/harmful digital fields
• psychological distress in- and outside the field due to e.g. harassment and threats. 
• dilemmas between developing rapport with the participant versus the researcher’s obligation to prevent e.g. self-harm

PhDs wanting to take part in the workshop on the second day will need to do a pre-assignment (see below).

Program:

Day 1, May 13 – 12.00-17.00

Lunch and introductions

Introduction by Lin Prøitz and Henry Mainsah (SIFO, Oslomet)

Short presentations by CDN staff

• Lin Prøitz & Henry Mainsah: Negotiating boundaries and relationships in online ethnography
• Gabriele de Seta: Some lies of digital ethnography
• Kristine Jørgensen: Researching player experiences with uncomfortable game content
• Jill Walker Rettberg: Social media, AI, and research ethics

Workshop by Henry Mainsah & Lin Prøitz

Day 2, May 14 – 09.00-13.00

Lin Prøitz & Henry Mainsah introduce central concepts and methodological debates in the field

PhD workshop (see pre-assignment*)

Summary by Lin Prøitz & Henry Mainsah.

Lunch

Pre-assignment for phds:

Please email lin.proitz@uib.no – by Friday May 10th – a ‘methods outline’ (1-2 pages) which includes:

• a short summary of your PhD project,
• description of your method(s),
• what methodological challenges and dilemmas you may face in your research and
• add 3 references that are relevant to frame your research method.