TEHA events

Time: 11 June 2026, 10:30–17:00, and 12 June 2026, 10:00–17:00
Venue: Tallinn University, room A-206

The social sciences are in the business of explaining puzzling social phenomena. However, explanatory practices vary widely across disciplines and research traditions-from causal inference and formal modeling to interpretive, historically grounded, and case-based approaches. This diversity raises fundamental questions about the aims, limits, and standards of social scientific explanation. At the same time, philosophers of science have developed rich accounts of explanation that often remain only loosely connected to empirical practice. 

This two-day workshop aims to bring together practicing social scientists and philosophers of social science to create a space for mutual engagement on the nature and practice of explanation across the social sciences. 

More information can be found HERE. 

Programme

13-14 July 2026, 09:30-13:30, room M-225

TEHA invites all SOGOLAS’ researchers to attend the masterclass of Professor Virginia Braun, who is best known for co-developing reflexive thematic analysis together with Victoria Clarke.

This course offers theoretically grounded, practice-oriented, and reflexive engagement with the doing of reflexive thematic analysis (the approach developed by Virginia Braun and Victoria Clarke), aiming to facilitate analytic engagement that moves beyond categorisation and into interpretation. Some basic understanding will be assumed, and the course aims to build a critical reflexive practice related to coding, theme generation, and interpretation, all aspects crucial for doing rigorous analysis that is both theoretically and methodologically congruent.

The teaching combines a range of pedagogical styles and activities, from (a few) mini-lectures through classroom discussion, small-group and individual- classroom activity, as well as homework. It asks for a reflexively open and interrogative learning-engagement from participants. At the end of the two days, you should have a deeper understanding of the potential (and limitations) of (reflexive) thematic analysis, and what this sort of analysis can - and cannot - deliver. 

General preparation

Participants will be asked to do some preparatory reading before the first class, so we can “jump in”. These will be indicated in good time ahead of the workshop. Those participating will also benefit from “homework” between Day 1 and Day 2. 

Day 1 

Day 1 will focus on elements including:

• Foundational concepts (why they matter)
• Ethics, reflexivity and positioning yourself; subjectivity 
• Close engagement with a dataset
  • Familiarisation 
  • Initial coding (review, rigour and quality considerations)
  • Coding development

Day 2 Classroom based

Day 2’s focus is really getting into reflexive TA analysis

• Understanding themes conceptually 
• (Initial) theme generation – processes, positionality and practice 
• Reflexivity and subjectivity in theme development and interpretation
• Quality considerations

Please register by 29 June

Priority will be given to researchers affiliated with SOGOLAS.

Additional information: eva.valdna@tlu.ee 

21-24 September 2026, Tallinn University

Please register by 14 September HERE.

Digital Storytelling has emerged globally as a powerful participatory and action research method that enables individuals and communities to share experiences, surface local knowledge, and contribute actively to processes of inquiry and change. Grounded in lived experience, place, and culture, digital storytelling combines narrative, images, sound, and reflection to create meaningful stories that can inform research, education, policy, and practice.

Stories make information more understandable, memorable, and persuasive. They help unlock grassroots knowledge, reveal hidden perspectives, and use the power of emotions to deepen understanding and shape decision-making. As a creative and participatory tool, digital storytelling can challenge hierarchies of expertise, amplify voices that are often unheard, and create new opportunities for dialogue, empathy, and collective learning.

In an increasingly complex and data-rich world, researchers are being called upon not only to generate knowledge, but also to engage meaningfully with the communities and individuals whose experiences inform that knowledge. Digital storytelling offers a powerful response to this challenge by moving participants from being passive recipients of information to active curators and co-creators of knowledge.

This four-day Masterclass led by Professor Antonia Liguori introduces participants to the theoretical foundations, practical applications, and ethical considerations of digital storytelling as a research method. Through a combination of discussion, experiential activities, case studies, story development exercises, and project design workshop, participants will explore how digital storytelling can support participatory research, knowledge co-production, public engagement, impact generation, teaching, and community-led change.
 

To make the most of the masterclass, the participants are expected to spend a little time preparing beforehand. Please see further information and preparation notes HERE.

Programme

21 September, 10:00-15:00 (lunch 12:00-13:00)

Understanding Digital Storytelling as a Research Method

From Voice to Knowledge

• Introduction to digital storytelling: history, principles, and practice
• Storytelling, participation, and knowledge co-production
• Digital storytelling in research, education, and community engagement
• Exploring case studies from different disciplinary contexts
• Ethics, representation, ownership, and consent

22 September, 10:00-15:00 (lunch 12:00-13:00)

Experiencing the Process (4 hours)

Stories, Meaning and Lived Experience

• Story circles and collective reflection
• Narrative structure and story development
• Developing story ideas and scripts
• Peer feedback and collaborative learning
• Storyboarding and visual thinking

23 September, 10:00-15:00 (lunch 12:00-13:00)

Designing Digital Storytelling Projects

From Stories to Research Design

• Planning and facilitating storytelling projects
• Recruitment, participation, and inclusion
• Data generation, analysis, and interpretation
• Digital storytelling and research impact
• Developing a digital storytelling project linked to participants' own research interests

24 September, 10:00-12:00

Sharing, Reflection and Future Practice

Storytelling as Story-listening: From Personal to Collective

• Story sharing and collective reflection
• Presenting project ideas and receiving feedback
• Building storytelling into future research, teaching, and engagement activities
• Closing discussion and next steps

7-8 October, LaSpa

The TEHA Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration Seminar will take place at Laulasmaa Spa on 7–8 October. A detailed programme will be announced soon.

Objectives of the seminar:

1. To learn about the high-level research and development work being carried out within TEHA’s research streams and to explore new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration through co-creative discussions.
2. To foster and strengthen connections among researchers at SOGOLAS and create opportunities for generating ideas for joint research projects.

Masterclass by Professor Patrick Thaddeus Jackson in early December on relational methods and analytical pragmatism will introduce the philosophical foundations of relational inquiry and provide participants with concrete analytical tools for developing relational, case-specific explanations of complex social phenomena. 
On 2 December, all interested participants are also welcome to attend Professor Jackson’s public lecture, “Balance in the Force: Star Wars as a Cultural Critique of U.S. Manifest Destiny.”

Further details will follow.