2024 Conference Agenda

Darja Wischerath:
Down the Rabbit Hole: An Ethnographic Exploration of Conspiracy Narratives on YouTube

The proliferation of conspiracy theories within online communities has tangible offline consequences, both on an individual and collective level. Douglas et al. (2017) proposed that belief in conspiracy narratives is driven by unfulfilled psychological needs such as existential threat, epistemic motives, and social motives. Whilst this theory has found support in experimental studies, it has not been explored in an ecologically valid setting. Given the importance of social media in spreading conspiracy narratives, it is vital to validate theories of conspiracy belief in online data.

We sampled conspiracy YouTube videos through a 1-month ethnography, exploring how conspiracy narratives address grievances and psychological needs as set out by Douglas et al. We performed an LDA topic model on n = 102 videos and n = 455,738 comments and qualitatively examined n = 24 videos and n = 1,200 comments through an abductive approach. We validate and extend Douglas et al.’s model, highlighting how conspiracy narratives address and amplify grievances and psychological needs in both official and community generated discourse.

Janusz Swierczynski:
Creepy or Crime Preventing? The perceived costs and benefits of smart home security technology

Video-enabled smart security devices such as video doorbells or security cameras are increasingly being purchased with the aim of improving physical security in and outside people’s homes, yet they also expose people to privacy risks. This study utilises a unique dataset consisting of more than 5000 amazon reviews to explore what factors people that people who have adopted these devices considered important when choosing to buy this technology, and the role that privacy and security played in this decision. Early findings indicate that privacy does not feature as an important consideration in many of the reviews in our dataset, and instead adopters prioritise security benefits and more conventional factors e.g., the product’s technical abilities. This work takes a topic modelling approach using BERTopic to make sense of this large textual dataset. Digital methods are a relatively novel methodology for utilising the Internet as a source of data (rather than an object of study) allowing us to answer research questions about society through the medium of the Internet. This talk has two objectives 1) to present work-in-progress and seek feedback from fellow social scientists, and 2) reflect on using computational methods for social science research.

Jon Ablett:
A history of the interrelationship between the veteran and welfare

The unstable, transient and ambivalent status of veterans, who are simultaneously hero and threat, saviour and liability, vulnerable and competent, has permeated the history of welfare provision and continues to cause complexities today. This paper will reflect upon the contradictions and contestations in welfare provision for veterans and the longstanding problems created for the State through the existence of trained but demobbed soldiers. This will be achieved through chronologically investigating many of the key legal welfare developments in England. From some of the oldest welfare laws such as the Elizabethan licenses to beg for soldiers, through the Poor Laws and Vagrancy Acts, to finally investigating the role veterans played in the development of the ‘modern’ welfare state in the 20th century.

This paper will also discuss contemporary welfare laws and policies, which Deborah Cowen claims has seen a revised societal militarism and increased neoliberal welfare policies dominate our welfare, and potentially homelessness, laws. Indeed, while this paper differs from her work in key aspects, there will be a discussion of Cowen’s belief that the soldier is an exceptional citizen, who had a large impact upon the development of the welfare state. This paper will ultimately examine the extent to which welfare laws, particularly as they relate to homelessness, were shaped by veterans and how these laws in turn may have shaped veterans through the narratives they perpetuated.

Shadma Ahmed:
Reflections from fieldwork on activism and resistance among young Muslim women in Mumbai, India

My doctoral research seeks to understand Muslim women university students’ journeys into activism as a window into the process of becoming activists. It is based in Mumbai, India and uses feminist ethnography. It particularly focuses on their personal histories, motivations, strategies, what might have supported or hindered their engagement in activism, and the specificities of the spaces (such as universities, homes, and public spaces) as sites of political activism. Breaking up understandings of Muslim women as a monolithic category, my research also recognises that all young women studied do not have the same experience, and their political participation is contextual and constantly negotiated. In Indian society, where notions of caste and class are often essential in determining social hierarchies and access to education, my research also sheds light on how the intersections of gender, religion, caste, and class, might shape this process of becoming an activist.

For this conference, I would like to share my reflections and observations from the two and half months of preliminary fieldwork recently conducted in Mumbai. First, I would like to share how I navigated through my existing networks (peers, lecturers, NGOs, collectives etc.) to get in touch with the participants and establish rapport with them. Second, my findings from participant observation and recorded interviews with approximately 20 women on their understanding of activism and their engagement with various types and degrees of activism and resistance. And last, the journals and memos I wrote to reflect on my own progress – brief description of the events, feelings and emotions, analysis and assessment, and follow up required.

Jay Liu:
Understanding Financial Markets by Ancient Chinese Wisdom

This paper explores the application of ancient Chinese wisdom—encompassing Chinese philosophies, histories, and cultures—to provide unique insights into global financial markets. Contrary to the belief that capitalism is purely a Western product, Nuyen (1999) suggests that classical capitalism aligns with Chinese philosophy, indicating that cultural differences do not underpin the East-West economic gap. This study systematically examines how ancient Chinese wisdom can inform our understanding of financial markets. With over 5000 years of history, Chinese wisdom, including texts like the I-Ching, offers valuable insights into decision-making processes. This research distinguishes between micro-level (individual investor behaviors) and macro-level (market behaviors) applications, using literature review and inductive methods. The findings reveal that ancient Chinese wisdom can elucidate rational and irrational investor behaviors, market patterns, and anomalies. This pioneering study highlights the potential of Chinese wisdom to enhance financial decision-making, helping investors, academics, and regulators understand market dynamics better. Additionally, it suggests that these ancient principles can contribute to the development of economic theories and address financial crises, offering a valuable framework for future research and practical applications in finance.

Ksenia Lavrenteva:
From Nowhere to Everywhere: Arguing for Positionality in Social Research

The possibility of value-free science, particularly within the social sciences, has long been a subject of debate. While discussions on the feasibility of value-freedom continue, this paper shifts the focus to whether value-free social science is desirable. Value-freedom is defined as the absence of moral, personal, social, political, and cultural values in the production of knowledge about social reality, aligning with the classical notion of objectivity as a “view from nowhere” (Nagel, 1986). Furthermore, true value-freedom implies interchangeability among social scientists, suggesting that any scientist would yield the same results under similar conditions (Toole, 2021).

Dan Zhao:
Arts-Based Workshop Dynamics in Researching Sensitive Topics Among International Students in UK Universities

This paper explores the lived experiences of Chinese international students (CISs) through a qualitative research approach employing arts-based methodologies. It presents a detailed exploration of methodological advancements, drawing insights from 13 walking interviews and four arts-based workshops. These methods serve as effective tools for investigating sensitive topics among CISs, including their encounters with racism and sense of belonging.

Walking interviews, derived from ethnographic research, are conducted on the move, offering advantages such as enhancing communication, providing observation opportunities, and promoting active participation. On the other hand, arts-based workshops, rooted in arts-based research (ABR), leverage diverse artistic forms like drawing, collaging, and storytelling to foster multimodal expressions, establish a conducive research environment, and mitigate potential harm when discussing sensitive topics. The study highlights the innovative use of virtual persona stories and virtual collaboration using Microsoft Teams within the arts-based workshops, addressing challenges related to personal disclosures and geographical barriers.

Reflecting on the processes of these interviews and workshops, each method offers significant advantages, including enhancing communication, facilitating observation, promoting active participation, fostering multimodal expressions, establishing a conducive environment, and mitigating potential harm. However, a challenge emerges concerning the conflict between participant autonomy and research goals, prompting discussions on navigating this balance to ensure alignment with overarching research objectives.

In summary, this paper demonstrates the effectiveness of walking interviews and arts-based workshops in exploring sensitive topics among CISs, while also emphasizing the importance of addressing ethical considerations and participant autonomy in the research process.

Anwita Mukherjee:
The Impact of educational attainment on full-time year-round Employment in the Indian Labour Market: A Gender-Based study:

Seun Oguntoyinbo:
Robotics in UK Healthcare Establishments: An Intervention Research

This research proposes to explore the integration of robotics in UK healthcare establishments, particularly within the NHS, with the aim of addressing workforce challenges (Health Foundation, 2018) and enhancing organisational performance. This proposal is an Intervention Research (IR) that aims at intervening at a selected site to treat the diagnosed dysfunctions and generate new knowledge (Savall and Zardet, 2014). The approach implements the socio-economic approach to management (SEAM) (Savall, 2003) as a framework for change management, focussing on key barriers to the adoption of robotics, such as technology costs (Silvera-Tawil, 2024), user acceptance (Becevic et al., 2015), and organisational resistance to change (Mekanontchai, 2009). The proposed methodology involves a five-phase intervention using participatory action research (PAR) (Denzin, Lincoln, and Reason, 1980), combining semi-structured interviews, case studies, and non-participant observations to evaluate the feasibility and impact of robotics adoption. By leveraging these methods, the research aims to recommend practical guidelines for effective change management. The study’s ultimate goal, contingent on the successful implementation of the SEAM approach, is to develop a comprehensive framework for the successful adoption of robotics, ensuring improved performance, reduced hidden costs, and enhanced satisfaction among healthcare beneficiaries. This proposal aims to establish a long-term collaboration between academic institutions and healthcare organisations, fostering sustainable growth and driving technological advancement within the UK healthcare sector.


Ming Chen:
The Role of Virtual Reality in Language Learning: Transformative Potential and Current Insights

Suparna Bagchi:
Exploring the experiences of people from ethnic minority communities in primary schools in Southwest England

My doctoral study explores the experiences of multiculturalism of teachers, parents and students in four mainstream primary schools which are located in remote areas of Southwest England. Multiculturalism evolves from a preliminary commitment to race equality and supports a reformed national identity in which all citizens have a sense of belonging (Modood, 2019). I adopted a qualitative case study methodology underpinned by sociocultural theory. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with the adult participants, observation of students’ classroom activities and classroom displays. My presentation will focus on study findings generated from first-generation ethnic minority parents and students. I critically evaluate how they are entangled in a tug-of-war between trying to adjust to the mainstream community to feel a sense of belonging and keeping their identity intact. Teachers-in-practice with limited race and cultural awareness help to sustain racialised and (im)balanced system in school practice, showing how identities and social relations in everyday lived experiences of ethnic minority students and families are influenced in particular ways within the specific local context over generations and time (Holland et al., 2016; Nasir and Hand, 2006).

Cody Varnish:
An Exploration into the Relationship Between Placement Instability and Mental Health Outcomes for Care-Experienced Children and Young People

In the UK alone, over 100,000 children live under the care of local authorities. Existing social care policy and practice documents emphasise the importance of providing stable care placements for these children. Nevertheless, 5-10% of children in care still experience three or more placements within a single year. Placement changes are often unexpected and uncontrollable for the children involved and can lead to a range of negative behavioural and mental health outcomes. Previous work has primarily focused on identifying risk and protective factors associated with placement instability, and quantitatively exploring its relationship with mental health outcomes. However, qualitative research on the lived experiences of instability within the UK care system remains limited and is necessary for fully understanding placement instability and its repercussions. My UK-based qualitative study therefore adopts a multi-perspective approach, incorporating the perspectives of both care-experienced young people (aged 16-24 years) and social workers. Through conducting semi-structured interviews, I explore how these two groups perceive the mental health consequences of placement instability and seek to identify any factors which may influence this relationship. Ultimately, it is intended that these study findings will inform recommendations for service-level interventions for the management of placement changes in order to minimise the negative impact on the mental wellbeing of children and young people in care.

Presented by Camille Stratman

Presented by Policy Bristol

Presented by Roy Kareem