led by Dr Kendra Briken, University of Strathclyde
Overview of the session:
This workshop is aimed at people who are considering and/or actively designing a project that compares case studies. It is cross-disciplinary across the social sciences and focussed on the logics and underpinnings, or, first principles of comparative case studies. The workshop engages two logics of comparison: the probably most common compare and contrast; and a ‘tracing’ across sites or scales. We will reflect on three axes: horizontal, vertical, and transversal comparison, and how power relations need to be included. In doing so, the workshop will allow to engage actively with the foundations of comparative case study research, and for participants to situate their own approach in context. During the interactive workshop session, we will discuss challenges for case study research beyond practicalities. To start, we will use the example of an international comparative case study focussing on public sector employment regimes, and discuss underlying assumptions..
Collectively, we will challenge the method on three epistemological levels:
• What is captured by comparative case studies in different disciplines?
• What would interdisciplinary perspective add to our assumptions?
• Through the lens of feminist/intersectional perspectives, and considering attempts to decolonise research: How do our underlying assumptions reflect hegemonic power relations?
Prior learning required:
Participants are strongly encouraged to prepare for the workshop by reading a textbook chapter of their own choice. The pre-reading will be part of the reflection.
What will be learned?
Comparative Case Study research differs highly between discipline-specific approaches. This workshop will not cater towards disciplinary detail, but aims at shaping and sharpening individual approaches to unsee limitations and actively engage with these. The aim of the workshop is to establish a critical and collective understanding and to prepare for working in ever moire interdisicplinary teams, a globalised world, and in planetary crisis moments.
What kind of activities will be undertaken during the training?
The 4 hours online will include the necessary breaks to allow for inclusivity. Based on shared prompts, we will use Padlet as a collective learning space so that additional material can be made available to participants. The shared workspace will remain open for two weeks after the event to allow for continuing collective discussion. With consent sought from participants during the workshop, the results will be captured and shared within the group.