On Ethnography

The authors weave together narratives of practice and theory that draw on their own field work and that of a novice ethnographer. Their stories take us outside the usual progression of how-to-do-ethnography, which moves from research question to data collection and analysis to publication. Readers learn of the motivations and mishaps behind the authors’ own classic ethnographic studies of language, multimodal literacies, and community practices. The authors use their stories to illustrate the power of curiosity, connection, and continuity in ethnographic pursuits. Keeping language and literacy the central concern, this volume offers practical ways for ethnographers to sustain their attention to a constant comparative perspective and to patterns of co-occurrence in language structures, uses, and values. Appropriate for new and experienced researchers, this readable volume:

• Illustrates three primary learning environments for the work of ethnographers: self-directed learning, informal communities of learners, and instructional settings within formal education.
• Stresses that “doing ethnography” involves engagement with public life and cannot be separated out as an academic activity.
• Includes examples of ethnographic studies in Australia, Iran, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Shirley Brice Heath is Professor at Large at Brown University, and Margery Bailey Professor of English and Dramatic Literature and Professor of Linguistics, Emerita, at Stanford University. Brian V. Street is Professor of Language in Education at King’s College, University of London. Molly Mills is an undergraduate student at Brown University.

“Sure to become required reading for research courses.”
—Judy Kalman, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City

“Will prove essential for established researchers, as well as for those undertaking their first research studies.”
—David Barton, Lancaster University

"Heath and Street provide an invitation to ethnography that is intimate to researchers and to the lives of the people researched.
They provide clear discussions of research practices and frame ethnography as theory-building inquiry about the nature of language, literacy, social practices, and knowledge."
—David Bloome, The Ohio State University

2017 LRA Distinguished Scholar Lifetime Achievement Award