Innovating Qualitative Research: Challenges and Opportunities
New Directions in Religion, Technology, Migration and Beyond
European Sociological Association
Research Network 20 Qualitative Methods
Including plenary contributions from Ruth Wodak and David Silverman
Over the past decades, qualitative research has repositioned itself within the discipline of sociology. Qualitative methods have succeeded in overcoming their marginalization, and it can even be claimed that qualitative research has attained a privileged position. Today, a large variety of qualitative methods are used in a broad range of research areas. The growth and success of qualitative research deliver new challenges as well as new opportunities. Consequently, the mid-term conference of the ESA Research Network 20 focuses on vital questions related to the future of qualitative methods in European sociology as well as neighboring disciplines. The discussion includes questions concerning methodological innovations and the contributions of qualitative methods to both substantive areas of research and sociological theory. The goal is to further establish and promote qualitative methods within an emerging European research realm while fostering exchange with researchers and scholarly networks in other world regions.
Symposium
Renowned international scholars will discuss the following questions in a symposium: How can qualitative methods respond to the challenges of an emerging European research realm? Is there a uniquely European qualitative methodology? How can we strengthen the connections between methodological and substantive inquiry?
Monday, Plenary 10:00–13:00, Chair: Krzysztof Konecki
Discussants: David Silverman, Thomas Eberle, César Cisneros, Elísio Macamo, Ross Koppel (tbc), Hubert Knoblauch (tbc), Miguel Valles (tbc)
Wednesday, Plenary 12:30-14, Chair: Bernt Schnettler
Discussants: Jan Coetzee, Giampietro Gobo, Krzysztof Konecki, Katja Mruck & Günter Mey, Anne Ryen (tbc), Jörg Strübing, Ruth Wodak
Thematic Sessions
We invite all interested researchers to participate in a series of thematic sessions which serve to identify innovations and challenges in qualitative research within specific research areas, including religion, technology and migration.
The overall goal of the conference is to gather European scholars and students from different fields and perspectives to examine and promote qualitative research in the social sciences.