Art-based, digital and post-digital ethnography

Semester -1 · 95216 · PhD Programme in Experimental Research through Design, Art and Technologies · 3CP · EN

The course offers an exploration of ethnographic approaches, including art-based, digital and post-digital ethnographies. It focuses on the critical elaboration of researchers' research contexts and related methodological requirements. The aim of the course is to promote fundamental critical reflection and the methodological skills necessary to select the most appropriate ethnographic method for specific research projects in the fields of art, design and technology. The course includes an in-depth discussion of methodological approaches, with particular attention to the ethnographic requirements and specific challenges of each project.

Lecturers: Elisabeth Tauber

Teaching Hours: 10
Lab Hours: 0
Mandatory Attendance: yes

Course Topics
Epistemology of ethnography, ethnography in a world of different species and objects, becoming and being ethnographic, ethnography in art, design and technology studies.

Teaching format
Our sessions will include instructor-led presentations, discussions grounded in your reading minutes, hands-on classroom activities, and student presentations of chosen research papers.

Educational objectives
Students will acquire: Knowledge and skills in theory and methodology, and in the acquisition of methods, tools and practices; Knowledge of the ethical aspects of academic research.

Assessment
Students will complete an in-class presentation and submit a two-page critical paper reflecting on the methodological approaches of their own project. Pre-Course Reading: All students must complete the three assigned texts (listed above) before attending the course. Reading Minutes Submission: Submit your reading minutes on Teams by [XX.XX.2026] to document completion of the required readings.

Evaluation criteria
The course is pass/fail. Presentations and papers will be assessed on depth of analysis, critical reflection on the research proposal and creativity in bringing together different areas.

Required readings

Pre-Class Reading Assignment

Please complete the following before our upcoming class:

Required Reading:

The assigned article
Introductions to the two books listed below

Assignment: Prepare three extended reading minutes (summary notes) based on your readings and submit them to me at least 2 days prior to the start of class.

De Seta, Gabriele; Matti Pohjonen and Aleksi Knuutila 2024 Synthetic ethnography: Field devices for the qualitative study of generative models. Big Data & Society. Vol 11, 4.

Malinowski, Bronislaw 1922 The Argonauts of the Western Pacific. An Account of Native Enterprise and Adventure in the Archipelagoes of Melanesian New Guinea. Introduction. London: Routledge

Petitt, Andrea; Anke Tonnaer, Véronique Servais, Catrien Notermans and Natasha Fijn 2025 Multispecies Ethnography and Artful methods. Introduction. Cambridgeshire, UK: The White Horse Press.

Supplementary readings

Will be announced in class

Download as pdf

Sustainable Development Goals
This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the following Sustainable Development Goals.

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