From ‘Being There’ to ‘Being With’: Rethinking Ethnographic Methodology during a Global Pandemic

This article explores the methodological implications of conducting ethnography under conditions of uncertainty and constraint, using a collective online ethnographic study of family life in Denmark during the Covid pandemic as its focal point. By rethinking anthropology’s classic imperative of “being there,” we examine how digital methods and shared existential circumstances between researchers and participants offer opportunities to develop innovative forms of relationality and engagement. Drawing on Hartmut Rosa’s concepts of resonance and world appropriation, we argue for a methodological approach that centers “being with” as an alternative to physical presence, emphasizing the affective, reflexive, and emergent qualities of research practice. We situate these reflections within broader discussions on the socio-historical context of knowledge production and the transformative potential of collective, relational methodologies. In doing so, we contribute to critical debates on ethnographic practice, highlighting how moments of rupture can challenge established epistemologies and inspire inventive modes of inquiry.