Introduction to Autoethnography
Date:
09/09/2025
Organised by:
Qualitative Training
Presenter:
Dr Karen Lumsden
Level:
Entry (no or almost no prior knowledge)
Contact:
Dr Karen Lumsden
Email: karen@qualitativetraining.com

Venue: Online
Description:
Overview:
This live one-day Zoom training provides participants with an introduction to autoethnography and writing the self. Autoethnography is a powerful methodological approach which combines autobiography and ethnography to explore personal experiences within broader social and cultural contexts. This day serves as an introduction to the theory, practice, and application of autoethnography, inviting participants to engage deeply with their own lived experiences while critically examining the intersections of self and society. Through a combination of presentations, group discussions, and hands-on activities, participants will develop the skills necessary to begin their own autoethnographic inquiries and produce meaningful narratives that contribute to personal growth and scholarly inquiry.
Topics to be covered:
· Principles of autoethnography
· Autoethnography: methodology and method
· Types of autoethnography: e.g. critical, evocative, analytical, performative
· Examples of autoethnography and its application
· Autoethnographic practice: from writing the self to crafting the self
· Autoethnography and reflexivity
· Ethics in autoethnography
· Debates and critiques of autoethnography
Who is this course for?
This is a foundational course which is designed for doctoral students, academics and researchers who are new to autoethnography, who are considering using autoethnography in their research, or are in the early stages of conducting an autoethnography. It is beneficial, but not essential, if participants have some prior foundational training or knowledge of qualitative research.
Please note: this is live interactive training with presentations, group activities, group discussions, and opportunities to ask questions. You should be prepared to participate in these and have use of camera and mic on Zoom.
Trainer biography
Dr Karen Lumsden is a qualitative trainer, consultant and coach, and has held a number of academic posts including most recently, Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Aberdeen, UK. She has published autoethnographies of higher education and is co-editor of Crafting Autoethnography: Processes and Practices of Making Self and Culture (Routledge, 2023).
She has over 20 years’ experience delivering qualitative methods courses and training to academics, social researchers, and practitioners. This includes courses at the Universities of Aberdeen, Glasgow, Essex, Auckland, Kingston, via the Social Research Association and the European Consortium for Political Research, and also for government departments, NHS, charities, police organisations, social research and market research organisations. Karen has written a number of books and journal articles on qualitative methods including Crafting Autoethnography (Routledge, 2023) and Reflexivity: Theory, Method, Practice (2019). She is on the Editorial Board of the journal Qualitative Research.
Bookings:
Bookings for this course can be made via Eventbrite tickets. If your organisation requires payment via invoice, please contact me directly to check if this will be possible. I only issue invoices when payment terms are mutually agreed and confirmed in writing prior to the event date. Email: karen@qualitativetraining.com for invoice queries.
Booking and refund policy:
There is a 14 day 'cooling off' period from the date of booking on this course. The refund policy is 100% refund up to 21 working days prior to the course date. This does not include the Eventbrite ticket fee which is non-refundable. After 21 days the entire course fee is payable.
If the training is fully booked and has a waiting list then transfer to another course or future course date might be possible, however this is at the discretion of the trainer.
Please note that Dr Karen Lumsden delivers a range of courses and training for other providers in addition to these Qualitative Training courses. She takes no responsibility or liability for individuals booking on similar courses or training with other providers which may contain similar or the same course content. Refunds will not be given under these circumstances once the training has been consumed.
Cost:
£150 (discounted student rate) + Eventbrite booking fee
£210 (full rate) + Eventbrite booking fee
Website and registration:
Region:
International
Keywords:
Frameworks for Research and Research Designs, Ethnographic Research, Frameworks for Research and Research Designs (other), Data Collection, Observation, Data Collection (other), Qualitative Data Handling and Data Analysis, Narrative Methods, Biographical Methods/Oral History, Ethnography, Autoethnography, Qualitative Approaches (other)
Related publications and presentations from our eprints archive:
Frameworks for Research and Research Designs
Ethnographic Research
Frameworks for Research and Research Designs (other)
Data Collection
Observation
Data Collection (other)
Qualitative Data Handling and Data Analysis
Narrative Methods
Biographical Methods/Oral History
Ethnography
Autoethnography
Qualitative Approaches (other)