Doing “biographical fieldwork”. Combining ethnographic field research with biographical analysis

Ethnographic fieldwork is a strong research method in qualitative research – as for example in case studies on mobility and migration. In this research field the method of multi-sited ethnography by George Marcus is rather prominent. Researchers follow their migrants to different contexts of settlement mainly focusing on different forms of practice. Migrants´ access to different forms of networks and their life-strategies during the migration process seem to be of special interest. However, referring exclusively to ethnographic material, the specific meaning of migration experiences does oftentimes not come to the fore.

On the basis of longitudinal ethnographic fieldwork combined with a biographical approach I would like point out in my presentation in how far both concepts could profit from each other – being aware that each approach has its own research focus and perspective.