Rob Smith
@robinjsmith.bsky.social
Sociologist at Cardiff University and Visiting Professor at The University of the Witwatersrand. Ethnography, Ethnomethodology, and MCA, of all sorts of settings including policing, mountain rescue work, and public space.
Just published. My chapter is based on resolving the three complaints of the novice fieldworker.
“I didn’t know what to write because”:
1) no one was doing anything!
2) people were doing too much!
3) I didn’t know what to call the thing I was seeing!
tinyurl.com/5n7w84hk
#ethnography #emca
“I didn’t know what to write because”:
1) no one was doing anything!
2) people were doing too much!
3) I didn’t know what to call the thing I was seeing!
tinyurl.com/5n7w84hk
#ethnography #emca
Teaching Research Methods in Sociology
Providing both theoretical and practical strategies for developing engaging and innovative approaches to teaching, expert instructors share their insights into teaching about important topics in the s...
tinyurl.com
December 19, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Just published. My chapter is based on resolving the three complaints of the novice fieldworker.
“I didn’t know what to write because”:
1) no one was doing anything!
2) people were doing too much!
3) I didn’t know what to call the thing I was seeing!
tinyurl.com/5n7w84hk
#ethnography #emca
“I didn’t know what to write because”:
1) no one was doing anything!
2) people were doing too much!
3) I didn’t know what to call the thing I was seeing!
tinyurl.com/5n7w84hk
#ethnography #emca
Reposted by Rob Smith
Delighted to receive this in the post - 'Bigfooters and Scientific Inquiry' by @drjamielewis.bsky.social and Andy Bartlett. This book is in the finest STS tradition of showing how an apparently marginal or obscure scientific practice opens up an entire epistemological world.
December 15, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Delighted to receive this in the post - 'Bigfooters and Scientific Inquiry' by @drjamielewis.bsky.social and Andy Bartlett. This book is in the finest STS tradition of showing how an apparently marginal or obscure scientific practice opens up an entire epistemological world.
Reposted by Rob Smith
There isn't a single problem "solved" by edtech that couldn't be fixed with smaller classes led by well-paid teachers given real academic freedom
December 12, 2025 at 6:23 PM
There isn't a single problem "solved" by edtech that couldn't be fixed with smaller classes led by well-paid teachers given real academic freedom
Reposted by Rob Smith
Symbolic Interaction, Vol.48 No4 is out - it's a special issue on "The (Re)Production and Navigation of Social Asymmetries‐in‐Action" co-edited by Catherine L. Tam @cathtam.bsky.social & Robin James Smith @robinjsmith.bsky.social congratulations, both co-editors and authors #sssi #emca #interaction
December 11, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Symbolic Interaction, Vol.48 No4 is out - it's a special issue on "The (Re)Production and Navigation of Social Asymmetries‐in‐Action" co-edited by Catherine L. Tam @cathtam.bsky.social & Robin James Smith @robinjsmith.bsky.social congratulations, both co-editors and authors #sssi #emca #interaction
“Every single moment is implicated in all of time”
A real treat, as usual, to welcome Barbara Adam back to Cardiff. Essential ideas for thinking open futures.
A real treat, as usual, to welcome Barbara Adam back to Cardiff. Essential ideas for thinking open futures.
December 11, 2025 at 4:14 PM
“Every single moment is implicated in all of time”
A real treat, as usual, to welcome Barbara Adam back to Cardiff. Essential ideas for thinking open futures.
A real treat, as usual, to welcome Barbara Adam back to Cardiff. Essential ideas for thinking open futures.
As a result of working through my degree and some of my postgraduate, I can size a suit for someone by eye, measure and pin for tailoring, and know how to measure for a kilt.
Should have written about it. The ethnography would’ve been called
Measurement and Method…
Should have written about it. The ethnography would’ve been called
Measurement and Method…
What skill did you master that you will never, ever use again?
Summer of '95 I had a job assembling single-use film cameras, which I did enough that I can still perform the actions. I don't think they even sell them anymore, but even if they do I'm certainly never going to be making them again!
Summer of '95 I had a job assembling single-use film cameras, which I did enough that I can still perform the actions. I don't think they even sell them anymore, but even if they do I'm certainly never going to be making them again!
What skill did you master that you will never, ever use again?
In the summer of ‘88, I had a job where I installed cell phones into cars. No one has needed that skill in over 30 years.
In the summer of ‘88, I had a job where I installed cell phones into cars. No one has needed that skill in over 30 years.
December 8, 2025 at 1:45 PM
As a result of working through my degree and some of my postgraduate, I can size a suit for someone by eye, measure and pin for tailoring, and know how to measure for a kilt.
Should have written about it. The ethnography would’ve been called
Measurement and Method…
Should have written about it. The ethnography would’ve been called
Measurement and Method…
Among our growing list of “other duties” in our job spec, it seems we’re now supposed to be part of the marketing department.
We understand the shifting recruitment landscape, but it’s yet another problem we’re expected to solve by ourselves.
Not to mention the risks that come with the exposure.
We understand the shifting recruitment landscape, but it’s yet another problem we’re expected to solve by ourselves.
Not to mention the risks that come with the exposure.
My university wants professors to create IG accounts to promote our classes and, yeah, I'm not going to do that.
December 7, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Among our growing list of “other duties” in our job spec, it seems we’re now supposed to be part of the marketing department.
We understand the shifting recruitment landscape, but it’s yet another problem we’re expected to solve by ourselves.
Not to mention the risks that come with the exposure.
We understand the shifting recruitment landscape, but it’s yet another problem we’re expected to solve by ourselves.
Not to mention the risks that come with the exposure.
Reposted by Rob Smith
2.5 million people with HIV have lost access to life-saving treatment as a result of Trump’s cuts to the global HIV programme.
It’s estimated that this has already resulted in an additional 100,000 AIDS deaths this year.
It’s estimated that this has already resulted in an additional 100,000 AIDS deaths this year.
"This is truly one of the great honors of my life ... we've saved millions and millions of lives" -- Trump
December 5, 2025 at 5:47 PM
2.5 million people with HIV have lost access to life-saving treatment as a result of Trump’s cuts to the global HIV programme.
It’s estimated that this has already resulted in an additional 100,000 AIDS deaths this year.
It’s estimated that this has already resulted in an additional 100,000 AIDS deaths this year.
Reposted by Rob Smith
Awesome talk from Dr Patricia Jimenez at the EMCA Doctoral Network. Patricia did an amazing job at penetrating the question of why we do membership categorisation analysis and how it can help us understand members' situated sense-making practices.
Great data on classrooms and lay definitions of AI
Great data on classrooms and lay definitions of AI
December 5, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Awesome talk from Dr Patricia Jimenez at the EMCA Doctoral Network. Patricia did an amazing job at penetrating the question of why we do membership categorisation analysis and how it can help us understand members' situated sense-making practices.
Great data on classrooms and lay definitions of AI
Great data on classrooms and lay definitions of AI
A great write up on the life and liveliness of the “Manchester” EM Reading Group. As Phil says, it’s rare to find space to really talk and think in modern academia.
I don’t get to go as often as I’d like, but like any favourite place that one has, knowing it’s there makes things a little better.
I don’t get to go as often as I’d like, but like any favourite place that one has, knowing it’s there makes things a little better.
New blog on the ROLSI website on The Ethnomethodology Reading Group, its history, disputes, challenges, and payoffs. Oh, and the spectre of the poker...
If you want to join us, get in touch. New members are always welcome.
#EMCA #EM/CA #Wittgenstein
rolsi.net/2025/12/02/g...
If you want to join us, get in touch. New members are always welcome.
#EMCA #EM/CA #Wittgenstein
rolsi.net/2025/12/02/g...
Guest blog: Ethnomethodology, from Manchester to MS Teams
One of the most adhesive binding agents for researchers in EM/CA is the weekly get-together, whether to pore over data or to discuss the week’s chosen reading. Some reading groups and data se…
rolsi.net
December 2, 2025 at 1:24 PM
A great write up on the life and liveliness of the “Manchester” EM Reading Group. As Phil says, it’s rare to find space to really talk and think in modern academia.
I don’t get to go as often as I’d like, but like any favourite place that one has, knowing it’s there makes things a little better.
I don’t get to go as often as I’d like, but like any favourite place that one has, knowing it’s there makes things a little better.
Reposted by Rob Smith
Words matter. Language matters. Languages matter.
@spencerhazel.bsky.social on how universities cut their language degrees, AND stress the importance of language, AND use language poorly and offensively in communicating their decisions ("marketing-infused slop").
#AcademicSky #Universities
@spencerhazel.bsky.social on how universities cut their language degrees, AND stress the importance of language, AND use language poorly and offensively in communicating their decisions ("marketing-infused slop").
#AcademicSky #Universities
December 2, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Words matter. Language matters. Languages matter.
@spencerhazel.bsky.social on how universities cut their language degrees, AND stress the importance of language, AND use language poorly and offensively in communicating their decisions ("marketing-infused slop").
#AcademicSky #Universities
@spencerhazel.bsky.social on how universities cut their language degrees, AND stress the importance of language, AND use language poorly and offensively in communicating their decisions ("marketing-infused slop").
#AcademicSky #Universities
Reposted by Rob Smith
I learnt so much from this project, the reviewers, contributors and especially from @robinjsmith.bsky.social. Thank you all!
@dollyeldritch.bsky.social
@emma-richardson.bsky.social @lizstokoe.bsky.social @daniellarafaely.bsky.social
@laalaajenkins.bsky.social
#EMCA
@dollyeldritch.bsky.social
@emma-richardson.bsky.social @lizstokoe.bsky.social @daniellarafaely.bsky.social
@laalaajenkins.bsky.social
#EMCA
The introduction to our special issue on the (re)production of asymmetries-in-action. It’s been a pleasure working with @cathtam.bsky.social and our contributors in demonstrating EM/CA approaches to various “isms” and some of sociology’s “Big” concerns.
#emca
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
#emca
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
The (Re)Production, Negotiation, and Navigation of Social Asymmetries‐in‐Action: An Introduction to the Special Issue
This article reconsiders, and argues for, the contribution of ethnomethodological and conversation analytic research (EM/CA) to the understanding of social asymmetries in action. As well as highlight....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 29, 2025 at 4:55 PM
I learnt so much from this project, the reviewers, contributors and especially from @robinjsmith.bsky.social. Thank you all!
@dollyeldritch.bsky.social
@emma-richardson.bsky.social @lizstokoe.bsky.social @daniellarafaely.bsky.social
@laalaajenkins.bsky.social
#EMCA
@dollyeldritch.bsky.social
@emma-richardson.bsky.social @lizstokoe.bsky.social @daniellarafaely.bsky.social
@laalaajenkins.bsky.social
#EMCA
Reposted by Rob Smith
📢 Job opportunity #EMCA: 2 postdocs (80%) + 1 research assistant (50%) for a 4-year @snsf.ch project at HES-SO Valais-Wallis on AI in medical education and clinical decision-making. Start on 1 March (or as agreed), place of work Sierre (Switzerland).
Apply by 31 December.
Info: jakub.mlynar@hevs.ch
Apply by 31 December.
Info: jakub.mlynar@hevs.ch
Postdoc Sierre 2026-2030 - emcawiki
emcawiki.net
November 27, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Reposted by Rob Smith
Bo and I wrote a little piece on Jeff Coulter for The Psychologist @psychmag.bsky.social
Jeff Coulter and the lived texture of psychological life…
@philhutchinson.bsky.social and Bo Allesøe Christensen remember Jeff Coulter (1947-2025), a champion for conceptual investigations in Psychology.
www.bps.org.uk/psychologist...
@philhutchinson.bsky.social and Bo Allesøe Christensen remember Jeff Coulter (1947-2025), a champion for conceptual investigations in Psychology.
www.bps.org.uk/psychologist...
Jeff Coulter and the lived texture of psychological life | BPS
Phil Hutchinson and Bo Allesøe Christensen remember Jeff Coulter (1947-2025), a champion for conceptual investigations in Psychology.
www.bps.org.uk
November 27, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Bo and I wrote a little piece on Jeff Coulter for The Psychologist @psychmag.bsky.social
The introduction to our special issue on the (re)production of asymmetries-in-action. It’s been a pleasure working with @cathtam.bsky.social and our contributors in demonstrating EM/CA approaches to various “isms” and some of sociology’s “Big” concerns.
#emca
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
#emca
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
The (Re)Production, Negotiation, and Navigation of Social Asymmetries‐in‐Action: An Introduction to the Special Issue
This article reconsiders, and argues for, the contribution of ethnomethodological and conversation analytic research (EM/CA) to the understanding of social asymmetries in action. As well as highlight....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:45 AM
The introduction to our special issue on the (re)production of asymmetries-in-action. It’s been a pleasure working with @cathtam.bsky.social and our contributors in demonstrating EM/CA approaches to various “isms” and some of sociology’s “Big” concerns.
#emca
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
#emca
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Reposted by Rob Smith
Finally, I know of at least one case where the letter writer, deep into an episode of AI-induced psychosis, asked the LLM why scientists were not responding. The machine suggested that perhaps the scientists were trying to steal his discovery.
This will get someone killed sooner or later.
This will get someone killed sooner or later.
November 21, 2025 at 5:32 AM
Finally, I know of at least one case where the letter writer, deep into an episode of AI-induced psychosis, asked the LLM why scientists were not responding. The machine suggested that perhaps the scientists were trying to steal his discovery.
This will get someone killed sooner or later.
This will get someone killed sooner or later.
This! If you’ve spent any time with “most students” (which seems to be the operative category for management), you’d know this to be the case.
What I've been noticing lately in convos with students is that they *despise* the AI-slopification of everything as much or even more than I do. And yet our universities & their admin seem to believe that students for some reason want it integrated into everything. THEY DON'T.
November 21, 2025 at 8:28 AM
This! If you’ve spent any time with “most students” (which seems to be the operative category for management), you’d know this to be the case.
Reposted by Rob Smith
Come and work with my wonderful colleagues @lsepbs.bsky.social!
Assistant Professor in Social #Psychology / Environmental Psychology
#AcademicSky
jobs.lse.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/...
Assistant Professor in Social #Psychology / Environmental Psychology
#AcademicSky
jobs.lse.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/...
November 6, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Come and work with my wonderful colleagues @lsepbs.bsky.social!
Assistant Professor in Social #Psychology / Environmental Psychology
#AcademicSky
jobs.lse.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/...
Assistant Professor in Social #Psychology / Environmental Psychology
#AcademicSky
jobs.lse.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/...
A great opportunity to work with a great bunch of people on a very interesting project in Oulu!
A postdoctoral researcher position (languages and conversation analysis) open in Oulu! #EMCA oulunyliopisto.varbi.com/en/what:job/...
Postdoctoral Researcher in languages and conversation analysis, Faculty of Humanities
We are now looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join us in the Research unit for Languages and Literature (English unit) at the Faculty of Humanities. The position is located in the research proje
oulunyliopisto.varbi.com
October 30, 2025 at 10:31 AM
A great opportunity to work with a great bunch of people on a very interesting project in Oulu!
Reposted by Rob Smith
We're hiring! Research Fellow role focused on institutional ethnography and helping us to develop the lived and living experience hub. Applications open until 17th November!
💡Job Opportunity!💡
We're looking for a Research Fellow to join the #DiscoveringLiveability team on a full-time and fixed-term basis for 30 months 🔎
For more information, follow the link below:
We're looking for a Research Fellow to join the #DiscoveringLiveability team on a full-time and fixed-term basis for 30 months 🔎
For more information, follow the link below:
Research Fellow (Discovering Liveability)
Research Fellow (qualitative methods) to join the Discovering Liveability: Co-producing alternatives to suicide prevention project, contributing to innovative suicide research that centres liveability...
elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com
October 30, 2025 at 10:09 AM
We're hiring! Research Fellow role focused on institutional ethnography and helping us to develop the lived and living experience hub. Applications open until 17th November!
Reposted by Rob Smith
Membership categorisation, sociological description and role prompt engineering with ChatGPT #EMCA
In this paper (OA) we use Membership Categorisation Analysis to interrogate prompt engineering and the use of ‘natural’ sociological description - and lots more.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
In this paper (OA) we use Membership Categorisation Analysis to interrogate prompt engineering and the use of ‘natural’ sociological description - and lots more.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
journals.sagepub.com
October 8, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Membership categorisation, sociological description and role prompt engineering with ChatGPT #EMCA
In this paper (OA) we use Membership Categorisation Analysis to interrogate prompt engineering and the use of ‘natural’ sociological description - and lots more.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
In this paper (OA) we use Membership Categorisation Analysis to interrogate prompt engineering and the use of ‘natural’ sociological description - and lots more.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Rob Smith
You can get this from your local, independent bookshop next week!
www.routledge.com/Harvey-Sacks...
www.routledge.com/Harvey-Sacks...
Harvey Sacks and Ethnomethodology: The Prospect of an Alternate and Adequate Sociology
Ethnomethodology and Conversation Analysis have made major inroads into the disciplines that make up the social sciences. Although commonly run together under the title of EMCA, what their relationshi...
www.routledge.com
October 2, 2025 at 5:52 PM
You can get this from your local, independent bookshop next week!
www.routledge.com/Harvey-Sacks...
www.routledge.com/Harvey-Sacks...
Reposted by Rob Smith
‘Practically the only people still pretending scaling LLMs is “all you need” are grifters.’ garymarcus.substack.com/p/game-over-... by @garymarcus.bsky.social
Game over for pure LLMs. Even Turing Award Winner Rich Sutton has gotten off the bus.
One by one, all the big names have turned around. What should we do next?
garymarcus.substack.com
September 27, 2025 at 6:21 PM
‘Practically the only people still pretending scaling LLMs is “all you need” are grifters.’ garymarcus.substack.com/p/game-over-... by @garymarcus.bsky.social