Many people who seek to integrate ethnography and data science have told me that they feel alienated or sidelined: like they are “lone wolves” having to figure out how to combine them without anyone or any resources to help them. Those who are interested in learning how to connect the two, in particular, tell me that they feel stuck without sufficient resources or support to explore connections between them. I do not think either anthropology and qualitative research or data science (two fields I am a part of) do a very good job understanding the other.
Thus, I started this interview series to highlight the experiences of those who in some way integrate ethnography with data science. My intent is to catalog their stories and ideas to help those considering doing similar work. I will interview people from a variety of backgrounds and industries (including anthropologists, data scientists, artists, software engineers, and so on) discussing what is most significant for them in their field. In general, though, my interviews will focus on the following questions or themes:
1. What is it like integrating data science and ethnography (or whatever other related activities or methodologies that particular person uses)?
2. What skills and abilities have you found helpful for such work, and what recommendations do you have for cultivating those skills?
3. How would you recommend education institutions and employers teach and/or foster these skills?
4. How has your joint background influenced how you view and approach the world, data science, ethnography, and/or the disciplines or fields you are a part of?
I started conducting these interviews in the fall of 2021. After a brief break, I started what I am calling my “Season 2” of interviews in the fall of 2022 with an ever evolving list of professionals. I am thankful to talk with everyone I have, and I hope you enjoy them as well.
If you would like to be interviewed or know someone else doing this type of work who you would recommend I interview, please reach out to me on my Contact Me page. Feel free to also reach out if you have any particular burning questions that you would like to see me ask.
| Season 1 Interviews: | Date Posted: |
| Maker Anthropologist in the Tech Field: Interview with Astrid Countee | September 8, 2021 |
| Data Scientist, Anthropologist, and Entrepreneur: Interview with Schaun Wheeler | September 21, 2021 |
| Anthropologist in Fintech: Interview with Priyanka Dass Saharia | October 18, 2021 |
| Data Scientist, Entrepreneur, and Artist: Interview with Emi Harry (Part 1 of 3) | November 2, 2021 |
| Data Scientist, Entrepreneur, and Artist: Interview with Emi Harry (Part 2 of 3) | November 16, 2021 |
| Data Scientist, Entrepreneur, and Artist: Interview with Emi Harry (Part 3 of 3) | November 30, 2021 |
| Anti-Corruption Anthropologist in Kazakhstan: Interview with Olga Shiyan | December 14, 2021 |
| Digital Anthropology and Artificial Intelligence: Interview with Scarleth Herrera | January 25, 2022 |
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