Paper Short Abstract:

This proposal explores how museums can benefit from ethnographic perspectives and research. Ethnographers excel at understanding diverse perspectives and mediating between groups, making their methods, valuable for enhancing participatory initiatives and developing digital formats in museums.

Paper Abstract:

This contribution proposal explores two central questions: How can museums benefit from ethnographic perspectives? How can ethnographic research be effectively conducted in museum settings?

Ethnographers are adept at immersing themselves in the positions and perspectives of diverse actors, like the concept of ‘deep hanging out’ (Clifford 1998). Their strengths lies in listening deeply and constructing a comprehensive understanding of motives and interests involved, facilitating mediation between different groups within museums. This ethnographic approach is particularly valuable in the development of digital formats, where participatory methods, e.g. co-design, are increasingly common (Kidd 2021). By integrating ethnographic methods, such as participant observation during testing-sessions or workshops, museums can enhance their participatory initiatives.

Interdisciplinary collaboration is a defining feature of museum work, aligning with the long-standing interdisciplinary nature of cultural anthropology in diverse fields (Thanner 2024). It embraces diverse professional approaches and is highly adaptable, making it well-suited for museums. The fieldwork techniques of ethnography, known for their sensitivity and adaptability, can also provide valuable insights into engaging with new audiences as well as existing visitors.

In this contribution, I aim to illustrate the potential of ethnographic research within museum settings. Drawing from my doctoral research, I examine three case studies to explore how employing a range of traditional methods of cultural anthropology, such as participant observation (Macdonald 2002, 2018), alongside digitally adapted techniques like 'walkthroughs' (Amelang 2023), offers insights into the integration of ethnographic approaches in museum contexts.