Public Lecture by Dr. Eric Weissman-SJ

Event Details:

The public lecture by Dr. Eric Weissman is entitled, Public Ethnography and Public Sociology addressing social problems in the 21st Century.

Homelessness, addictions and poor mental health are pervasive matters of extreme public concern. In order to address these kinds of lived experiences, sociologists must employ a number of theoretical and methodological lenses and provide ways for academics and the public to mutually benefit from new knowledge.

Public ethnography is a form of public sociology that employs a number of qualitative methods to mobilize lived experience in critical analyses of people and situations. Importantly, the goal of public ethnography is to present this information to both academic and public audiences. This is done by adapting language and disseminating ideas through accessible forms like film and photography.

In this talk, Dr. Eric Weissman will discuss his visual approach to public ethnography, including video and photography. Over 20 years he has used this approach in critical studies about homelessness and other issues in the US and Canada. He will discuss how to refine collaborations between academic and lay participants in the generation and mobilization of sociological knowledge.

Building: Hazen Hall

Room Number: 232