Introduction

Autoethnography is a transformative qualitative research methodology that integrates self-reflexivity, lived experience, cultural analysis, and narrative inquiry to produce rich, contextually grounded social knowledge. Positioned at the intersection of postmodern theory, interpretivist paradigms, critical social science, and decolonial methodologies, autoethnography challenges positivist traditions by legitimizing embodied knowledge, emotional labor, and subjective meaning-making. In contemporary social science, this approach has gained momentum due to its capacity to address identity, power, intersectionality, marginalization, and social justice, making it highly relevant in an era of complex social change, globalization, and digital cultures.

Autoethnography in Social Science Training Course equips participants with theoretical grounding, methodological rigor, ethical awareness, and applied skills required to design, conduct, analyze, and publish autoethnographic research. Through case-based learning, reflective practice, narrative writing workshops, and real-world research examples, learners will explore diverse forms of autoethnography, including analytic, evocative, collaborative, performative, and digital autoethnography. The course emphasizes academic credibility, methodological transparency, and scholarly impact, preparing participants to integrate autoethnography into research projects, teaching, policy analysis, and professional practice across disciplines in the social sciences.

Programme Curriculum

Autoethnography in Social Science Training Course

Introduction

Course Duration

5 days

Course Objectives

Develop advanced reflexive research skills
Understand contemporary qualitative research paradigms
Apply autoethnographic theory to social inquiry
Strengthen narrative and analytical writing competencies
Integrate intersectionality and positionality analysis
Ensure ethical rigor and emotional accountability
Analyze culture, identity, and power relations
Conduct methodologically sound autoethnographic studies
Utilize digital and multimedia autoethnography tools
Produce publishable academic manuscripts
Critically evaluate autoethnographic research quality
Apply autoethnography in policy, education, and advocacy
Enhance research impact and knowledge translation

Target Audience

Social science researchers and scholars
PhD and postgraduate students
Faculty members and educators
Qualitative research practitioners
Policy analysts and development professionals
Mental health and social work professionals
Cultural studies and gender studies scholars
NGO and community-based researchers

Course Modules

Module 1: Foundations of Autoethnography

Definition and evolution of autoethnography
Epistemological and ontological foundations
Autoethnography vs ethnography vs autobiography
Key theorists and seminal works
Case Study: Ellis & Bochner’s foundational autoethnographies

Module 2: Theoretical Frameworks

Interpretivism and constructivism
Feminist and critical race theory
Postcolonial and decolonial perspectives
Symbolic interactionism
Case Study: Autoethnography in feminist social research

Module 3: Forms and Approaches

Analytic autoethnography
Evocative and emotional narratives
Collaborative autoethnography
Performative and arts-based methods
Case Study: Collaborative autoethnography in education

Module 4: Data Collection and Reflexivity

Memory work and personal archives
Journaling and field notes
Emotional recall and sensory data
Positionality mapping
Case Study: Reflexive data practices in migration studies

Module 5: Ethics and Vulnerability

Informed consent and relational ethics
Writing about others responsibly
Emotional risk and researcher wellbeing
Institutional review challenges
Case Study: Ethical dilemmas in family autoethnography

Module 6: Analysis and Interpretation

Thematic and narrative analysis
Linking personal experience to culture
Theory-driven interpretation
Validity and credibility strategies
Case Study: Analytic autoethnography in health research

Module 7: Writing and Representation

Academic vs creative writing balance
Voice, tone, and authenticity
Storytelling as knowledge production
Peer review and revision strategies
Case Study: Publishing autoethnography in top journals

Module 8: Applications and Impact

Autoethnography in policy and practice
Teaching and pedagogical use
Digital and visual autoethnography
Public scholarship and activism
Case Study: Autoethnography for social justice advocacy

Training Methodology

This course employs a participatory and hands-on approach to ensure practical learning, including:

Interactive lectures and presentations.
Group discussions and brainstorming sessions.
Hands-on exercises using real-world datasets.
Role-playing and scenario-based simulations.
Analysis of case studies to bridge theory and practice.
Peer-to-peer learning and networking.
Expert-led Q&A sessions.
Continuous feedback and personalized guidance.

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@fineskilltrainingcenter.org or call +254769199797

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to Fineskill Training Center account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.

Skills & Software Covered

Self-reflection methods Cultural analysis Narrative research Qualitative interpretation

Programme Fee

Duration: 5 Days

Method: Online or Physical

Online Price: $1,000

Physical Price: $1,500

Certification: Accredited Certificate

View Available Dates 📄 Download Course Outline (PDF)

Available Sessions

Location

Month

Year

Oct 19 2026

19 Oct — 23 Oct 2026

💻 Online / Virtual session

Online $1,000