AoM PDW: Demystifying Ethnography: Observations and Field Note Writing
Primary Sponsor: Research Methods (RM) Division
Date: Sunday, July 27, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Location: Bella Center, Hall A – A1-m3
This Professional Development Workshop (PDW) offers an immersive, hands-on introduction to two foundational ethnographic skills: conducting field observations and writing field notes. Designed specifically for early-stage qualitative researchers, the session combines expert-led instruction with experiential learning and reflective discussion. Participants will begin with a plenary session on observational techniques led by distinguished scholars, followed by a live field-based observation activity. Using the data collected during this session, they will then practice writing field notes, receiving direct feedback and guidance from our expert faculty. The workshop will conclude with small group debriefs and a final large-group discussion to reflect on key insights and learning takeaways related to ethnographic observation and note-taking.
The faculty panel for this session features Anne-Laure Fayard (Nova School of Business and Economics), Beth Bechky (University of California, Davis), Hila Lifshitz-Assaf (Warwick Business School), and Melissa Mazmanian (University of California, Irvine), all of whom bring extensive expertise in qualitative and ethnographic methods.
This session is organized by Derrick Bransby (Harvard Business School), Rita da Silva Nascimento (Nova School of Business and Economics), Domenico di Prisco (ESSEC Business School), and Simona Grande (Università di Torino and Universitetet i Agder).
We will prioritize applications from early-career scholars and doctoral students with limited prior experience in field observations and writing ethnographic notes. Due to the interactive nature of the session, participation is limited to 50 individuals. Applicants should be prepared to engage in the entire session from start to finish.
The application deadline is Wednesday, July 9th, 2025.
Apply here: 👉 https://forms.gle/jjESe8jNarhfr5127
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Rita Nascimento
Rita Nascimento Person
Carcavelos
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