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A special session at MSS 2025

Would you like to participate in a fun, sociological team-building exercise, develop your research and observational skills, and get to know other MSS members? Join us for this special session at MSS 2025!

How does it work?

On the first day of the conference, you will be assigned to a research team with other MSS members (faculty, students, postdoctoral researchers). Your team’s task will be to select a focus and (publicly accessible) site for your instant ethnography, and to collect observational data on your subject over the course of the conference. Your team will collect and analyze your observations, and put together a brief presentation of your findings to share in a session organized for the last day of the conference.

What can we study?

In the past, instant ethnographers have observed and presented data on things like navigating demands for service at a busy bar, interactional behavior in crowded elevators, graffiti art in an urban core, Q&A interactions at an academic conference, and determining ice cream flavor selection at Baskin Robbins. We encourage creativity in the selection of an interesting, publicly accessible field site. Even seemingly mundane everyday social life and interactions can be endlessly fascinating when observed through a sociological lens!

Do I need to be an ethnographer?

No previous ethnography experience is required and researchers with all levels of experience are welcome! Teams will be created to include members with a range of research experiences.