Mimi Sheller

Definition

Mimi Sheller is an influential scholar in the field of anthropology and critical studies, particularly known for her work on mobility and the impact of globalization. Her research emphasizes how digital technologies and virtual spaces affect cultural practices and identity, making her contributions vital in understanding online fieldwork and virtual ethnography.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Mimi Sheller's work highlights the importance of mobility and its effects on social relationships and cultural expressions in a globalized world.
2. She emphasizes the role of digital platforms as spaces for identity formation, community building, and cultural exchange.
3. Sheller's research often incorporates the concept of 'virtual ethnography' to study how people interact in online environments.
4. Her studies provide insight into how globalization affects local cultures, leading to new forms of expression and connectivity.
5. Mimi Sheller advocates for an interdisciplinary approach, blending anthropology with technology studies to better understand contemporary cultural phenomena.

Review Questions

• How does Mimi Sheller's research contribute to our understanding of mobility in the context of globalization?
  • Mimi Sheller's research sheds light on how mobility shapes social relationships and cultural expressions within a globalized framework. She examines the interplay between physical movement and digital connectivity, illustrating how these factors influence identity formation and community dynamics. Her insights into mobility highlight the significance of both physical and virtual spaces in understanding modern social interactions.
• What role does virtual ethnography play in Mimi Sheller's scholarship, and why is it significant for studying contemporary culture?
  • Virtual ethnography is central to Mimi Sheller's scholarship as it allows researchers to adapt traditional ethnographic methods to analyze interactions in online environments. This approach is significant for studying contemporary culture because it captures the complexities of social life as they unfold in digital spaces. By using virtual ethnography, Sheller reveals how cultural practices are evolving in response to technology and globalization.
• Evaluate the impact of Mimi Sheller's work on the fields of anthropology and critical studies, particularly regarding the understanding of digital culture.
  • Mimi Sheller's work has profoundly impacted anthropology and critical studies by integrating concepts of mobility, globalization, and digital culture into these fields. Her focus on virtual ethnography provides valuable methodologies for examining how technology influences identity and community. By highlighting the intersections between physical movement and digital engagement, Sheller encourages a reevaluation of traditional anthropological frameworks, thereby enriching our understanding of contemporary cultural dynamics.

Related terms

Virtual Ethnography: A research method that adapts traditional ethnographic techniques to study online communities and cultures, focusing on interactions in digital spaces.

Globalization: The process by which businesses, cultures, and economies become integrated and interconnected on a global scale, significantly influencing social dynamics.

Digital Anthropology: A subfield of anthropology that explores how digital technologies shape human behavior, social interactions, and cultural practices in both online and offline contexts.