If it looks stupid but works, it ain‘t stupid☝🏻

I just noticed that I can use my earrings as temporary binders for my notes🤓

In the realm of social science, numbers and statistics often dominate the narrative. Yet behind every data point lies a human story—rich, complex, and deeply personal. This is where agentic research] becomes a transformative tool. Instead of merely analyzing behavior from a distance, this approach invites participants to be co-authors of the research process. Through personal storytelling, individuals share their lived realities, offering insights that traditional methods often miss.

Agentic research is rooted in the belief that participants are not passive data sources but active, reflective agents who interpret and construct their own experiences. By focusing on storytelling, researchers tap into memory, identity, emotion, and culture—elements that are critical for understanding the depth of human life. It bridges the gap between researcher and participant, fostering a mutual process of learning and discovery.

This method is particularly impactful in fields like migration studies, trauma research, and cultural anthropology, where people's voices have historically been underrepresented or silenced. It allows for nuanced, ethical, and participatory exploration of social phenomena—bringing forth truths that might remain hidden in numerical abstraction.

Furthermore, agentic storytelling isn’t limited to verbal accounts. Participants may use journals, video diaries, art, or digital media to narrate their lives. This opens the door to multimodal research, adding layers of texture and authenticity to the data. It also allows individuals to control how their stories are shared, analyzed, and preserved.

Demystifying Data: A Gendered Lens on Time-Use Patterns | ISDM