Lateral vision: Juxtaposition as a method

Abstract

This article reflects on the methodological challenges and opportunities of 20 years of research on Chinese migrants abroad against a shifting background of global politics and academic institutions. It suggests that, while ethnography is always implicitly comparative, juxtaposition rather than comparison in time and space, within and outside the ‘field’, may be a better way of describing the cumulative working of ethnographic research. I reflect on three ethnographic moments whose significance only became clear in hindsight, with the benefit of juxtapositions with other experiences, both academic and non-academic.

Coming to grips with diverse voices in participatory heritage initiatives

“…Instead of investigating the similarities and differences, which are not necessarily due to ruralurban dualism, it is more effective to approach the research aim by presenting each case comprehensively and identifying the recurrent themes. The latter is a method akin to the juxtaposition interpreted by Nyiri (2013), by way of which one may gain grounded insights into a process. The aim of using this method is not to reach a generalised conclusion but to provide perspectives that may speak to different people.…”