230155 SE Using Video Ethnography in doing Science Studies Research (2011S)

The convergence of digital video technologies with practices of social surveillance portends a methodological shift towards a new variety of qualitative methodology. Digital video is changing the way that scholars of the social world practice their craft, offering not just new ways of presenting but new ways of practicing qualitative field research. In this seminar, graduate students will be introduced to the concepts of the 'fluid wall' and 'videoactive context' to emphasize that the camera is an actor in the research process, and that behavior & observation occur in both directions - in front of and behind the camera. While these practices and procedures are novel in some ways, they may also be viewed as old methods in the context of new instruments for recording as well as a new social understanding of these instruments. This seminar will provide an overview of the use of digital video in research practice as well as present an account of the use of digital video methodology in a variety of STS research contexts and presentation forums. In addition, graduate students will be challenged to apply video methods to their own research interest, through a series of visual & sound operation and video editing tutorials. The seminar will also produce a video account of itself to present at the next European Association for the Study of Science and Technology (EASST) in Trento, Italy - September 2010.