Political Ethnography: Method, Sensibility, Writing

About

Political ethnography is a broad, interdisciplinary research strategy that generates contextual knowledge through the immersion of the researcher into the world(s) they study. If you remember one thing from this course, it should be: ethnography = immersion. ‘Political ethnography’ is a compound term that combines ‘politics’ and ‘ethnography’, and throughout the course we will explore both concepts and how they intersect within research methods and methodology.

The five course days are organised around the themes of situating, doing, and writing ethnography. We will engage with methodological debates, read and analyse ethnographic texts, and work through reflection and writing exercises connected to your individual research projects. Each day includes a short writing assignment. You may obtain an additional ECTS credit by completing an extra assignment at the end of the course. All assigned readings should be completed before class.

Course leader

Kristin Anabel Eggeling works at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs and the University of Copenhagen. She teaches and writes about international politics, diplomacy, technology, culture, and ethnographic methods in international relations. Kristin has conducted ethnographic research in the Middle East, Central Asia, Europe, and the United States. In 2023, she received the Anthony Deos Early Career Award for the emerging scholar in Diplomatic Studies from the International Studies Association (ISA). Her work has received additional international recognition and has been published in leading journals, including the European Journal of International Relations, International Political Sociology, Review of International Studies, Global Studies Quarterly, Millennium, Geopolitics, and Qualitative Research.

Target group

Social science researchers

Course aim

This short course will provide you with a space to learn about and experiment with what it means to study politics and power ethnographically

Fee info