
The APSA Interpretive Methodologies and Methods related group provides a forum for the discussion of methodologies and methods related to empirical interpretive research, as well as issues arising from their location within contemporary political science.
Interpretivists do Interpretive Methods Series
Audrey Alejandro (LSE) will discuss reflexivity in practice. She has published extensively on reflexivity. For example, “How to Pay Attention to the Words we Use” (2022) and “Reflexivity for Qualitative Research Quality and the Quality of Qualitative Research” (2024).
The Zoom event is open to the public, but registration is required: click here.
Interpretivists do Interpretive Methods Series
Marnie Howlett (Oxford) will discuss online interviewing, based on her own experience and fieldwork. Her publications on methods include “Looking at the ‘Field’ Through a Zoom Lens” (2022) and "When 'Home' Becomes the 'Field': Ethical Considerations in Digital and Remote Fieldwork” (2022).
The Zoom event is free and open to the public, but please register in advance here.
Interpretivists do Interpretive Methods Series
Sophie Harman (Queen Mary University of London) will discuss how she turned her research into an award-winning short film called Pili, telling the stories behind her research on global health.
The talk is open to the public, but registration is required. Please register by clicking here.
Interpretivists do Interpretive Methods Series
Samantha Majic (John Jay College and the CUNY Graduate Center) will discuss her work with all kinds of populations: vulnerable populations, celebrities, but also researchers’ vulnerabilities too.
The talk is open to the public, but registration is required. Please register by clicking here.
Interpretivists do Interpretive Methods Series
Rich Nielsen (MIT) will discuss the ways in which he has sought to cultivate an ethnographic sensibility in his own work and the possibilities of combining interpretivism and positivism, drawing on a recent article published in International Studies Review titled “Religious Fieldwork for International Relations Scholars".
The talk is free and open to the public, but please register here.
Upcoming Events
Spotlight Scholars Program
The Spotlight Scholars program highlights outstanding early-career scholars whose work showcases or advances interpretive approaches to the study of politics. Our 2025-2026 Spotlight Scholars are Mazie Bernard, Winston Berg, and Tadek Markiewicz. Read more about their work by clicking here.
Recent Awards
New Books Podcast
A special series featuring interviews with authors and editors of books on the epistemologies and methodologies of interpretive political and social science, alternately with authors of exemplary interpretivist monographs; streaming through the New Books in Political Science channel. Hosted by Nick Cheesman.