Ethnographies of Volunteering: Providing Nuance to the Links Between Volunteering and Development

Abstract

This paper explores how ethnographic approaches to third sector and nonprofit studies allow for context-based understandings of the links between volunteering and development. Drawing from our ethnographies of volunteering in Sierra Leone, Burundi and the Philippines, we argue that ethnographic methods could tease out local ideologies and practices of volunteer work that can challenge knowledge monopolies over how volunteering is understood and, later, transcribed into development policy and practice at various levels. The contribution of ethnography as a methodology to third sector research lies not only in the in-depth data it generates but also in the kind of ethos and disposition it requires of scholars—providing attention to issues of power and voice and leaning into the unpredictability of the research process.

Counter-accounting and social transformation: Yaṉangu way

“…Insights from ethnographic research are "particularly useful where one needs to understand some special people, particular problem, or unique situation in great depth, and where one can identify cases rich in information" (Patton, 1990, p. 54). This particularisation in ethnographic work embraces the complexity and context of a case to interpret its unique characteristics (Chadwick et al, 2022;Irvine and Gaffikin, 2006;Scobie et al, 2023Scobie et al, , 2020.…”

“…, 2022; Irvine and Gaffikin, 2006). The findings from this longitudinal study offer a “thick description” (Chadwick et al. , 2022; Jönsson and Macintosh, 1997) of the counter-account articulated by Purple House and the factors which have most influenced the outcomes of this hegemonic challenge.…”

“…This study has used an ethnographic research method to gather rich empirical material based on observation, cultural immersion, document analysis and interviews. The process of learning in intercultural contexts can be complex and challenging (Patton, 1990), hence an ethnographic method is considered most appropriate for developing a contextualised understanding of a particular setting (Chadwick et al, 2022;Irvine and Gaffikin, 2006). The findings from this longitudinal study offer a "thick description" (Chadwick et al, 2022;J€ onsson and Macintosh, 1997) of the counter-account articulated by Purple House and the factors which have most influenced the outcomes of this hegemonic challenge.…”

“…This study has used an ethnographic research method to gather rich empirical material based on observation, cultural immersion, document analysis and interviews. The process of learning in intercultural contexts can be complex and challenging (Patton, 1990), hence an ethnographic method is considered most appropriate for developing a contextualised understanding of a particular setting (Chadwick et al. , 2022; Irvine and Gaffikin, 2006).…”