Working at the Interface of Cultures : Eighteen Lives in Social Science

Social scientists study people and society, yet too often it is assumed that there is some kind of culture- free, objective reality that can be observed. Working at the Interface of Cultures lifts the objective mask of science to reveal the subjective encounter with difference that shapes scholarly understanding. Each contributor relates his or her own personal experience of working with different cultures and examines the influence this has had on their thought processes, work style and worldview, having been stimulated and inspired by this encounter to reflect and rediscover their culture of origin by attempting to understand and write about the cultures they lived in.These autobiographies offer a unique introduction to the work of a well-known cross-culturalist, and are an important contribution to the discussion of reflexivity within the social sciences. Social scientists study people and society, yet too often, the view is put forward that there is some kind of culture-free, objective reality that can be observed. This collection of essays puts the personal experience of the observer back to center stage. The contributors, each a leading cross cultural researcher, relate his or her own personal experience of working with different cultures and examine the influence this has had on their way of thinking, way of working and way of perceiving the world. These autobiographies offer encouragement to younger social scientists embarking on the cross-cultural journey by showing how personal and academic transformation can occur. Each also offers a unique introduction to the work of a well-known cross-culturalist. Social scientists study people and society, yet too often, the view is put forward that there is some kind of culture free, objective reality that can be observed. This collection of essays, by leading cross cultural researchers, brings the personal experience of the observer back to centre stage. Each contributor relates his or her own personal experience of working with different cultures and examines the influence this has had on their way of thinking, way of working and way of perceiving the world. Each essay offers a unique introduction to the work of a well-known cross-culturalist. Select contributors include: Gustav Jahoda, Kenneth Gregen, Peter Weinreich, Stella Ting-Toomey and Harry Triandis. A collection of essays by leading cross cultural researchers who each relate their own personal experience of working with different cultures and examine the influence this has had on their way of thinking, working and perceiving the world.