Ethnography? Participant Observation, A Potentially Revolutionary Praxis: An Anthropologist's Tale
What we know about humans and their communities is shaped by knowledge created by those who have the authority and power to influence how we think.
An anthropologist can challenge these received wisdoms by living with the people to be studied, participating in and observing their daily lives, conducting long-term ethnographic research. Marginalized and silenced experiences can be brought to the forefront, and help us rethink our assumptions about the world.
It can be difficult for the anthropologist to leave the shore of her home behind and dive deep to immerse herself in the communities she is researching, but she must.
Source: LSE Library
Working at the LSE Library, Daniel Payne is trained in a number of skills to support students ranging from “going beyond Google” to finding and accessing official government publications and official statistics. With particularly close links to the Government department, and the European Institute, Mr Payne may well be someone you meet this year if you study within these departments.
We asked him what insider tips he can give about the Library for this year’s new students.
What is the library like to work in? Is there much desk space?
There is increasingly more desk space – some of which is bookable. The Library has increased the number of study spaces in response to student feedback. There are now over 2,000 study spaces in the library.
You can also book group study spaces if you find it easier to work with others. There is no getting away from the fact that during exam time the library does get very busy and it’s a very popular place to study.
Can you take anything out from the library?
Yes! There are also lots of online resources so sometimes you may not even have to come to the library. There’s a course collection area which will have the reading required for your course and the books are available to borrow for three days at a time. Then there’s the main collection which you can borrow for up to three months.
Where can I get help if I have a query about using the library?
Staff roam the library so just grab them if you need help. During 10am – 5pm you can also email [email protected] and we can come and find you. There’s also staff based on the ground floor.
What is the LSE’s Women’s Library?
It’s a large collection of material focusing on the lives of women in the UK and the great political, economic and social changes of the past 150 years. Anyone can consult it – you just need to let the library know first and they can fetch the material in advance for you. It’s archival so you can’t take it out but there are some books belonging to the collection on the third floor as well which are easier to access.
If you’ve been unable to return your books within the three day limit, what will happen to you?
You can renew a book as many times as you like, unless someone else wants it. In that case, you’ll receive an email asking you to return it. If you don’t bring the book back within three days then we’ll put a temporary block on your account so you can’t take any more out.
What’s your favourite book?
I think my favourite book would be Gormenghast which the library does not have but it’s the book that got me into reading when I was little.
In addition, if you’re at LSE and you just want to read a good book, instead of studying, then you can go to the George Bernard Shaw library on the sixth floor of the Old Building.
The library may take some time to get used to whilst you learn about the services it provides. However, by exam time it’s always packed…even at 11pm. Start using it early and come exam time you will be seriously glad you’ve got it sussed.
With summative assignments and exam season upon us, the work load may seem nearly impossible to wade through.
On top of it all, a packed library may mean you’re spending more time searching for a seat than hitting the books. I ventured around to some of the city’s alternative study locales in search of a prime location for productivity. Here’s what I found.
The Royal Festival Hall Saison Poetry Library
Located in the Southbank Centre, the Poetry Library is Britain’s largest collection of poetry from 1912 to the present day. The library is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 am to 8 pm.
Pros: Individual study cubicles provide outlets and additional lighting. If you need a bit more space, there are also two large tables available. The small space results in minimal background noise and a quiet, study-friendly environment.
Cons: The wifi is only available to library members, but you can join the library with proof of identification and current address. While it wasn’t particularly crowded the day I visited, there are only six cubicles available. Food and drink are not allowed in the library.
Verdict: I found the small space to be a decent spot for a short study session. Within the Southbank Centre, there are a number of other places to set up camp, with wifi access freely available. If you don’t mind extra background noise (akin to the level of a cafe), try one of the many tables or couches throughout the building.
Camera Cafe
The Camera Cafe, located on Museum Street in Bloomsbury, near the British Museum, is open 11 am to 7 pm Monday through Fridays and 12 noon to 7 pm Saturdays.
Pros: The cafe’s menu offers the standard coffee and tea plus a range of freshly squeezed juices and toasted panini sandwiches, and the orange juice in particular was a delicious pick-me-up. The cafe provides seating on two floors and the wifi was fast and reliable.
Cons: The cafe does play music at a fairly loud volume, which was a tad distracting, though not unexpected for a cafe rather than a library.
Verdict: I’ll definitely be returning to this spot for another study session, although I’ll probably save some of the more heavy duty revision for a quieter space.
Senate House Library
The Senate House Library is the central library for the University of London and free membership is available to all LSE students. The opening hours vary by time of year, but until 6 June, the library is open Monday to Thursday from 9 am to 9 pm, Friday 9 am to 6:30 pm, and Saturday 9:45 am to 5:30 pm.
Pros: The library has a number of readings rooms, each with a variety of space options (though most are long, shared tables). Wifi is easy to access and provides a reliable connection, and each reading room is essentially silent.
Cons: Food and drink (with the exception of bottled water) are not permitted in the library, so if you’re looking for a place to snack while revising, you may want to check out the cafe on the ground floor. You must register before you can use the library. Save a few minutes by pre-registering online, though expect to queue at the membership desk on your first visit. All told, from the moment I arrived to the moment I received my library card and could enter the study space took about 20 minutes.
Verdict: The Senate House Library is a good alternative to LSE’s library, though keep in mind it does cater primarily to students in the same boat as you. During my recent visit (around 3 pm on a Tuesday), there were only a few places left in each study room, so you may wish to arrive early to secure your spot.
Wellcome Library
The Wellcome Library is housed inside the Wellcome Collection on Euston Road. Although membership is only available to those studying the history of health and medicine, other visitors may use the reading room by signing in on the day. The library is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 am to 6 pm, Thursday 10 am to 8 pm, and Saturday 10 am to 4 pm.
Pros: The reading room has tables and chairs available as well as bean bags and couches for those seeking a more comfortable arrangement. Wifi is readily accessible via eduroam, and the space, while not perfectly silent, boasts a low level of background noise.
Cons: Food and drink, including bottled water, are not permitted in the library. Distractions abound, as many of the tables are covered with books and other artefacts.
Verdict: Although it was a little strange to be studying at a table with historical medical textbooks and magnifying glasses, once I got past the distractions, I found my time at the Wellcome Library to be quite productive. The easy to access space is one I’ll certainly return again soon.
National Art Library
The National Art Library is found inside the Victoria & Albert Museum and is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10 am to 5:30 pm and Friday from 10 am to 6:30 pm.
Pros: The space is absolutely beautiful, with plenty of light and windows overlooking the museum courtyard. Individual study spaces are assigned on entry, which means you won’t waste any time looking for a seat.
Cons: The library has very strict rules on what can be brought inside. Food and drink, including bottled water, are not permitted, nor are any large bags. Visitors may only write in pencil. Bags must be checked in the cloakroom on the ground floor of the museum, where a £1 donation is suggested. After checking my bag, I thought I was in the clear only to find out I had to leave my laptop case in a locker at the front entrance. Library staff continually pace the centre aisle checking that all rules are upheld, which provided just enough movement to distract me from my work. The wifi was less than reliable, to the point where I was unable to load my LSE email during the entirety of my stay.
Verdict: Although I understand the rules are in place to protect the priceless collection items, the hurdles to get settled, the distractions, and the intermittent internet access mean I probably won’t chose this location as a future study spot.
Wherever you choose to study, I wish you luck in your revision and final assignments!
Need further suggestions? See also:
Places to Study in London
Places to Study in London (Round 2)
Places to Study in London (Round 3)
Places to Study in London: Best of the Best
How to Search for Great Coffee Shops and Study Spaces
