Dr Samantha Stone
PhD, MRes, BA (Hons) in Childhood, Youth & Education Studies, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
Expertise
Extensive experience in ethnographic research across health and education. Skilled in longitudinal fieldwork, in-depth interviews, public involvement, and creating outputs for academic and public audiences.
Current positions
Senior Research Associate (Ethnography)
Bristol Medical School (THS)
Contact
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Biography
My academic journey began with a deep interest in how social structures and everyday interactions shape people’s lives. Early in my career, I conducted ethnographic research in educational settings, examining children’s socialisation and the relational dynamics that influence learning environments. This work strengthened my commitment to ethnographic approaches, which enable rich engagement with participants and provide nuanced insights into their lived experiences.
Building on this foundation, I transitioned into health research, where I developed a strong interest in chronic pain as a complex, multilayered biopsychosocial phenomenon. At the University of Bristol, my work examines how social phenomena, such as relationships, lifestyles, leisure activities, and occupations, shape transitions into and out of chronic pain. To capture these dynamics, I employed immersive ethnographic methods, including longitudinal fieldwork, in-depth interviews, and visual approaches, engaging closely with participants and their social circles over a 12-month period.
Alongside research, I have developed expertise in managing large qualitative datasets, designing ethically robust studies, and producing outputs for both academic and public audiences. My teaching and supervision experience further strengthened my ability to communicate complex ideas and support methodological development. These experiences have shaped my commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary research that amplifies participant voices and informs practice in health and social care.
Building on this foundation, I transitioned into health research, where I developed a strong interest in chronic pain as a complex, multilayered biopsychosocial phenomenon. At the University of Bristol, my work examines how social phenomena, such as relationships, lifestyles, leisure activities, and occupations, shape transitions into and out of chronic pain. To capture these dynamics, I employed immersive ethnographic methods, including longitudinal fieldwork, in-depth interviews, and visual approaches, engaging closely with participants and their social circles over a 12-month period.
Alongside research, I have developed expertise in managing large qualitative datasets, designing ethically robust studies, and producing outputs for both academic and public audiences. My teaching and supervision experience further strengthened my ability to communicate complex ideas and support methodological development. These experiences have shaped my commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary research that amplifies participant voices and informs practice in health and social care.