Intense field course in ethnobiology
Saaremaa, Estonia, June 29-July 05, 2014
Designing and conducting ethnobiological research in Eastern Europe
Intense field course on the ethnobiological reserach in Eastern Europe will be held in Ansumardi Turismitalu, in Kavandi, near Orissaare, Saaremaa, Estonia, June 29 - July 05, 2014.
Important information:
Compulsory reading for the course.
What is ethnobiology?
"Ethnobiology is the scientific study of dynamic relationships among peoples, biota, and environments. As a multidisciplinary field, ethnobiology integrates archaeology, geography, systematics, population biology, ecology, mathematical biology, cultural anthropology, ethnography, pharmacology, nutrition, conservation, and sustainable development. The diversity of perspectives in ethnobiology is our greatest strength. It allows us to examine complex, dynamic interactions between human and natural systems, and enhances our intellectual merit and broader impacts." (ethnobiology.org)
Purpose of the course:
To obtain basic knowledge and skills in order to be able to design and conduct an ethnobiological research in (eastern) Europe. We want to cover the whole set of doing research from the generating ideas to publishing it: gathering background information, (critically) analysing different written sources (archive, literature), rising research questions and hypothesis, choosing methodology, designing fieldwork, considering ethical issues, conducting fieldwork, analysing results and designing a whole set of disseminating strategies.
Syllabus
The field-course is an intensive course in research design and methods in ethnobiology, especially in the context of Eastern Europe. Ethnobiology is the study of the interactions between humans and their natural surroundings), including ethnbotany (the study of human-plant relationship), ethnoecology (human-ecosystem relationship), ethnozoology (human-animal relationship). In addition, various disciplines contribute to the methods of ethnobiology, like anthropology, biology (botany), pharmacology, ecology, ecosemiotics, linguistics, ethnology etc. Through its interdisciplinary approach, ethnobiology can address different aspects of human-nature relations, bridging culture and nature researches, connecting cultural believes and scientific methods of systems of knowledge. The course is designed to provide boost into the understanding and implementation of ethnobiological research for the students for wide variety of the disciplines.
Purpose of the course
The main purpose of the course is to provide PhD students basic knowledge and skills in order to be able to design, conduct, and analyse an ethnobiological research in (eastern) Europe. The course will cover the whole set of doing research from the generating idea to publishing it: gathering background information, (critically) analysing different written sources (archive, literature), rising research questions and hypothesis, choosing methodological approach and methods, planning fieldwork, considering ethical issues, conducting fieldwork, analysing results and designing a whole set of disseminating strategies. Students will also gain hands-on experience in conducting ethnography-centred fieldwork.
Skills to be learned
At the end of this short course, students will:
Know the basics for designing ethnobiological research (will be able to design their own research).
Define hypothesis and research questions relevant to ethnbiology.
Understand research ethics in ethnobiology and address truly participatory approaches with the community they work with.
Know how to plan and conduct ethnography-centered ethnobiological fieldwork (using appropriate research methods).
Know how to locate needed literary and archival sources and develop a critical approach in reading and interpreting them.
Know how to collect and archive sufficient information and botanical or other biological vouchers.
Know how to analyse the collected data, using comparative ethno-historical and/or cross-cultural approaches and statistical methods.
Learn to design sound dissemination strategies of their research findings.
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