A1 Journal article (refereed)
Ethnographic approach to participation in EU policy : developing polyspatial agency (2022)

Mäkinen, K. (2022). Ethnographic approach to participation in EU policy : developing polyspatial agency. Political Research Exchange, 4(1), Article 2134809. https://doi.org/10.1080/2474736x.2022.2134809

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Mäkinen, Katja

Journal or series: Political Research Exchange

eISSN: 2474-736X

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 28/10/2022

Volume: 4

Issue number: 1

Article number: 2134809

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/2474736x.2022.2134809

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/83741

Abstract

This article uses an ethnographic approach to study citizens’ participation in the context of participatory practices organized in the framework of cultural policy of the European Union. It focuses on one EU policy action, European Heritage Label (EHL) and one cultural heritage site that has received this label. The research data was collected through participant observation and interviews with young people who participated in the activities organized on and by the site. This article asks: what meanings the participants give to participation. By analysing the participants’ experiences of the site and their conceptions of participation, I develop the notion of ‘polyspatial agency’. The ethnography of participation introduced in the article enables recognizing diverse conceptions of participation and agencies as well as the possibilities and problems related to participation in the micro-level realities of the sites, thus deepening and diversifying the understanding of participation, EU policies and participatory governance.

Keywords: ethnography; citizenship; European Union countries; participation; cultural heritage

Free keywords: ethnography of participation; citizenship; European Union; polyspatial agency; cultural heritage

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Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2022

JUFO rating: 1