The Interpretive Methods Research Group aims to promote collaboration and exchange on interpretive methods among political scientists and scholars of international relations and public policy around Australia, and support instruction of Australia-based research students and early career researchers in these methods.
There are many different varieties of interpretive methods, including, by way of examples, critical discourse analysis, interpretive policy analysis and political ethnography. What makes these methods interpretive is that they are conducted in order to generate data on intersubjective meaning-making with which to make inferences about the political and social worlds in which we live. They proceed from the assumption that social worlds are realised through language and communication.
The Group is newly established in 2024, with six convenors: April Biccum, Nick Cheesman, Colette Einfeld and Helen Sullivan (all at the ANU); and, Stefanie Fishel (Sunshine Coast) and Cai Wilkinson (Deakin). Its planned activities include methods workshops, conference panels, networking with counterpart groups abroad, and the promotion of interpretive methods through awards and other recognition for excellence. For details email Nick Cheesman.
For more resources on interpretive methods, including seminars (forthcoming and recorded), courses and other training opportunities, publications, podcasts and more, visit the websites below:
Interpretation, Method and Critique network, Australian National University
Interpretive Methodologies and Methods related group, American Political Science Association