Sam Ladner, PhD

In this article, the chairs of EPIC2021 reflect on the idea of Anticipation, and what ethnography reveals to us that may not be readily apparent through other means. Looking backward at the year of planning a conference that was to be focused on the future, the authors describe various revelations that unfolded and revealed themselves over the course of time. They raise questions of method, of epistemological position, and ethical responsibility. The authors conclude that anticipation is very… Show more

In this article, the chairs of EPIC2021 reflect on the idea of Anticipation, and what ethnography reveals to us that may not be readily apparent through other means. Looking backward at the year of planning a conference that was to be focused on the future, the authors describe various revelations that unfolded and revealed themselves over the course of time. They raise questions of method, of epistemological position, and ethical responsibility. The authors conclude that anticipation is very much an ethnographic activity, one in which we can ask difficult questions about power and practice. Show less

This short book is for people doing applied research in technology, marketing, health care, financial services, communications, or product strategy. It is for anyone who has gaps in their methods training. If you skipped those classes, or simply learned methods without the reasons for choosing a specific one, you will get value from this book. The book will show you how to effectively mix methods and data sets, and how to help stakeholders become more sophisticated customers of good research

Ladner, S. (2015). "Managing The Private Sector Research Project." in Dingwall, R. (ed.). Sage Handbook of Research Management. Sage: London.
What are the major objectives of a well managed, applied research project? How should research managers practice qualitative research within quantitative organizations? This chapter details how to bring rigorous social research to applied settings, with a particular eye to translating qualitative research into usable, actionable, and meaningful… Show more

Ladner, S. (2015). "Managing The Private Sector Research Project." in Dingwall, R. (ed.). Sage Handbook of Research Management. Sage: London.
What are the major objectives of a well managed, applied research project? How should research managers practice qualitative research within quantitative organizations? This chapter details how to bring rigorous social research to applied settings, with a particular eye to translating qualitative research into usable, actionable, and meaningful insights in industrial settings. Show less

A special pecha kucha presentation on how "bodywork" (face-to-face, co-located) activities reinforce productivity, and how emerging technologies can now begin to emulate bodywork.

The definitive guide to applied ethnographic practice in design, marketing and innovation. To be released in 2014, this book will teach academic ethnographers how to adapt their methods to the private sector, and will also help designers and marketers improve their ethnographic practice.

A brief position paper suggesting a framework for investigating how and in what ways "design thinking" organizations actually operate.

Why has the project of professionalization so far failed for interaction design? This article discusses the implicit epistemological and ontological tension inherent in interaction design and argues that it is both an art and a science. Hence, the lack of "professional" designation.

An empirical study of time-tracking software and its impact on the working and home lives of design workers

A theoretical analysis of the assumptions embedded in log file analysis and Web analytics. The author argues that these techniques present a veneer of "scientific" authority, but overstep in their claims to validity. She offers alternatives for how and when to use such research techniques.

A mixed-methods investigation of the impacts of mobile, enterprise technology on the home lives of design workers

An empirical chapter reviewing the density and uptake of ICTs in developing countries, and the correlations to macroeconomic development.