Main Program
Program Overview
Los Angeles | August 18–21
Papers
Peer-reviewed papers drive innovation and debate, offering new frameworks and syntheses that advance ethnography and interdisciplinary collaboration. Presented in Thematic Sessions.
Case Studies
Peer-reviewed case studies showcase ethnographic impact, going “under the hood” to learn from key projects that created value for business, organizations, and communities. Presented in Thematic Sessions.
PechaKucha
This unique storytelling format combines visual and spoken narrative to explore important professional and social issues. Presented in Thematic Sessions.
Interactive Experiences
Real-time, co-creative activities that engage and provoke attendees in collective learning and exploration.
Artistic Interventions
Explore art that creates new narratives and perspectives to promote critical and generative thinking through a range of media.
Salons
In these lively sessions, take on key topics in small groups with inspiring facilitators. Pre-registration is required.
Keynotes
Luminaries from diverse fields inspire us and provoke us with new perspectives.
Panels
Join lively discussions convened by EPIC2024 Co-chairs Lee Cesafsky and Carrie Yury!
Graduate Colloquium
A program for Master’s and PhD students to present their work and explore professional pathways.
Lunch Sessions
Join discussions with fellow EPIC community members as you enjoy your lunch.
Social & Networking
Our Welcome Reception, Conference Dinner, and networking sessions foster warm connections and just plain fun.
Schedule
All sessions in the Main Program take place at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center, 1310 11th St, Santa Monica, CA (please note the address! This facility is not on the SMC main campus). The Conference Dinner is at the Santa Monica Beach Pier, Carousel Building (Looff Hippodrome). MAP
Please note! Sessions that require pre-registration are free for registered attendees, except the conference dinner. Click through to the sessions to see registration details.
Livestreamed Sessions
Sunday, Aug 18
8:30 am–1:30 pm
Graduate Colloquium ▸
By invitation
1:00–2:30 pm
INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE
Soundwalk ▸
Pre-registration required
1:30–2:30 pm
SALON
This Thing Changed Me ▸
Pre-registration required
2:30–3:30 pm
SALONS
Pathfinding in the Next 20 Years ▸
Pre-registration required
Slaying (or at Least Taming) the Chimera of Product Discovery with Ethnography ▸
Pre-registration required
3:30–4:30 pm
SALONS
Ambivalence and Ambition: Navigating Career Landscapes and Possibilities ▸
Pre-registration required
Collaborative Ethnography’s Enduring Value ▸
Pre-registration required
4:00–5:00 pm
PANEL
Ethnographic Research Leadership ▸
5:00–7:00 pm
Opening Reception
& Exhibition!
Monday, Aug 19
Coffee & Light Breakfast
9:00 am–5:30 pm
Artistic Interventions ▸
Infill ▸
Sound Map ▸
9:00–9:30 am
EPIC2024 Kickoff
9:30–10:30 am
KEYNOTE
David Burns & Austin Young ▸
10:30–11:00 am
Refreshment Break
11:00 am–12:30 pm
THEMATIC SESSIONS
Ways of Seeing, Ways of Sensing ▸
Alignment Tango: Communities & Markets ▸
12:30–2:00 pm
Lunch
LUNCH SESSION (12:45–1:45 pm)
Synergies and Misalignments in Ethnography and Product Development ▸
2:00–3:30 pm
THEMATIC SESSIONS
Ethnography & Agency ▸
3:30–4:00 pm
Refreshment Break
4:00–5:30 pm
THEMATIC SESSIONS
Generational Insight ▸
Tuesday, Aug 20
8:30–9:00 am
Coffee & Light Breakfast
9:00 am–5:30 pm
Artistic Interventions ▸
Infill ▸
Sound Map ▸
9:00–9:30 am Should We Measure Research Impact?
Talk sponsored by Atlassian
9:30–10:30 am
KEYNOTE Charmaine Chua ▸
10:30–11:00 am
Refreshment Break
11:00 am–12:00 pm
SALON
Blurring the Lines ▸
Pre-registration required
11:00 am–12:30 pm
THEMATIC SESSION Protecting the Public ▸
PANEL DISCUSSION Orality, Technology, and Memory
12:30–2:00 pm
Lunch
LUNCH SESSION (1:15–2:00 pm)
EPIC Board Roundtables ▸
2:00–3:00 pm
SALON
Promise and Peril: AI in Ethnography ▸
Pre-registration required
2:00–3:30 pm
THEMATIC SESSION The Technical & The Vernacular ▸
INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE
Bodystorming AI ▸
On-site registration required
3:30–4:00 pm
Refreshment Break
4:00–5:00 pm
SALON
Challenging Civic Tech Foundations ▸
Pre-registration required
4:00–5:30 pm
THEMATIC SESSION Displacement? Productivity among the Machines ▸
INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE
Crafting Future Knowledge Artifacts ▸
On-site registration required
6:30–9:00 pm
Conference Dinner ▸
Pre-registration required; $90
Wednesday, Aug 21
Coffee & Light Breakfast
9:00–9:30 am
Building Tools that Empower Researchers
Talk sponsored by dscout
9:30–10:30 am
KEYNOTE
Maria Bezaitis ▸
10:30–11:00 am
Refreshment Break
11:00 am–12:00 pm
PANEL
Ethnography in AI Product Development ▸
12:00–12:30 pm
EPIC2025: The Big Reveal!