Remote Ethnography Examples

Close-Up Research is an ethnographic research and video agency. We capture stories of lived experience and make sense of what people think, feel and do. Our films and insights help clients design, evaluate and communicate better policies, products and services.

Our projects span place-based and person-centred research, remote/diary research and vox pops. We typically produce comprehensive longer edits alongside shorter clips for social media. We also produce podcasts, photography and animation, and offer co-design and training workshops.

Below are some examples of remote/diary ethnography involving video diaries and video calls.

WHAT ARE THE TRANSPORT EXPERIENCES OF YOUNG PEOPLE WITH MOBILITY ISSUES? / Flourish

We asked six young people with mobility issues, from across England, to record video diaries documenting their transport experiences over a month, and to reflect on how their experiences might differ if travelling by driverless car.

What were the experiences of work during the pandemic, for older people with long-term health conditions? / Institute for Employment Studies

We produced four thematic films with seven participants. This is the summary video that accompanied the report by the IES and Centre for Ageing Better. You can see it in place along with the full report here.

HOW DID COMMUNITY BUSINESSES RESPOND TO COVID-19? / POWER TO CHANGE

During the first year of the pandemic, we documented the experiences and responses of six ‘catalyst’ organisations across England, and the community businesses they support. We looked at adaptations, impact on the community, and sustainability.

You can watch the full insights film, which last 25 minutes, here.

WHAT ARE ENERGY CONSUMERS’ ATTITUDES TO ‘NET ZERO’? / OFGEM

We spent a year following six people across the UK, to understand how energy use fits into their lives. They sent through diary updates every month, and we checked in by video call every six months. Someway through we also asked them what they thought about ‘Net Zero’. This edit of their responses was shown at COP26.