Have you ever wondered, 'What is a transformative research method?' In our blog, Renate Schelwald (links to website)Opens external explains her use of Design Ethnography as a Transformative Research Method. Read on as Renate highlights the value of visual ethnography in capturing the social and cultural dimensions of complex issues.
Empowering Voices through Design Ethnography
In a rapidly evolving world where communication has transcended language and embraced the visual, the transformative method known as Design Ethnography has emerged as a powerful research tool. Design Ethnography is an approach that uses ethnographic research methods to deeply understand and incorporate real-world user behaviors, needs, and contexts into the design of research and design thinking, making them more user-centered and culturally relevant. This innovative technique allows individuals to share their experiences, insights, and stories through the lens of cultural immersion, creating a platform for voices that may have otherwise gone unheard.
Design Ethnography empowers individuals to "narrate their stories, express their feelings, and advocate for change" by documenting and researching a deep understanding of the cultural context. Through a 5-minute video capturing the research and work done at a community garden, Renate was able to utilize Design Ethnography "to make the complex research more accessible to policymakers." The visual component can immerse those watching into the project. This provides a deep understanding of participants, the research context, and work. Renate highlights that "transcending language and cultural barriers is key in a world overwhelmed by information."
Design Ethnography can be used to convey research findings aiming to engage audiences, such as policymakers, who might use the research. Renate's video offered "a multi-sensory experience, enabling the audience of policymakers to understand the project's impact holistically." This approach bridged the gap between academia and the real world, breaking down barriers and demonstrating the power of design ethnography in communicating intricate human experiences effectively and transforming research outcomes.
Design Ethnography: Visual-Centric Communication
Design Ethnography capitalizes on our society's shift towards visual-centric communication, where cultural immersion and understanding play a fundamental role in conveying messages and emotions. This method "allows individuals to express themselves through deep cultural exploration," demonstrating that understanding the context is as important as the content itself.
The transformative potential of Design Ethnography lies in the fact that "it's not special at all, as visual communications (like pictures and videos) are something that people are already so attuned to." Therefore, a researcher can capitalize on Design Ethnography to bridge gaps in communication, making it a versatile and transformative method for advocacy and action research.
Design Ethnography: Accessibility and Continual Improvement
A common issue with research is where it goes once it is published. Renate shares reflection questions to consider if using a methodology like Design Ethnography is useful for you.
- "How can you make sure that research results don't just stay in this ivory tower?
- How can research spread to other people?
- How can those who have been a part of your research be able to interact, use or understand the results?
- Can the results be presented in a form that participants can really understand?"
Renate stresses that "it is important to make research accessible to a broader audience, including those outside academia, by using visual methods like documentaries." This approach allows research findings to reach a wider audience and have a more significant impact. As she points out, "It's just a method that fits so well with how humans move through the world."
Conclusion
In a world where the power of cultural understanding and the need for inclusivity are increasingly significant, Design Ethnography stands as a transformative method that empowers individuals to share and take ownership of their stories. These narratives transcend language and cultural barriers while ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can participate in the research process.
Renate's innovative approach to the Sustainable Foodscapes (https://www.sustainablefoodscapes.com/Opens external) project illustrates the potential of design ethnography to change the way we conduct research and share its results. Whether you are an academic researcher or a policymaker, incorporating design ethnography into your work can lead to more meaningful, impactful, and transformative outcomes.