Methods for use during ethnographic fieldwork with
children
A workshop for early career researchers
The Department of Anthropology at the London School of Economics invites you to
participate in a one-day workshop exploring methods for use during ethnographic fieldwork
with children. The workshop will be held at the LSE on Tuesday 6th May 2014.
The starting premise for the workshop is that anthropologists need to make a stronger
contribution to the methodological literature on research with children. Given that
anthropological research on children and childhoods is now an established field, and given
that ethnographic fieldwork remains central to anthropology as a discipline, what can we learn
about ethnographic authority and evidence by focusing on children? What are the advantages
of and limits to participant observation with children? Why and how should anthropologists
utilise ‘participatory’ methods common in development projects, and what kinds of
assumptions might these entail? If children are competent social actors, why are special
‘child-friendly’ techniques needed? And what makes them uniquely ‘friendly’ to children?
The workshop is aimed at PhD students and postdoctoral researchers who have recently
completed fieldwork involving substantial engagement with children. Paper presenters are
invited to discuss the ways in which their methods developed over the course of their
fieldwork. Which methods worked particularly well? Which methods didn’t work, and why
not? What approaches were most appropriate to children of different ages? What were the
major differences between your engagements with children and with adults? Although the
workshop is primarily focused on methods, participants are also encouraged to discuss, where
relevant, the ethics of their methodologies. The workshop will result in a special publication
on methods for use by future researchers.
Please send initial expressions of interest to Catherine Allerton (c.l.allerton@lse.ac.uk).
Abstracts for papers should be sent by 28th February 2014. Pre-fieldwork students intending
to work with children are also welcome to attend, and should send a description of their
planned research. There is no cost for this event, and participants will be provided with
refreshments during and after the workshop.