Sensory Ethnographies of Sport : Three Methodological Considerations

The sensory character of fieldwork has been increasingly used as part of ethnographic investigations. Sport, however, seems to be lagging behind when it comes to exploiting this element. For that reason, this article seeks to illustrate the potential of making sensory diversity a premise, rather than an afterthought, for ethnographies of sport. Based upon trans-local fieldwork at six FIA World Rally Championship events, as well as other examples from sensory studies of sport, it is argued that by exploring the sense-based experience of fans and how it shapes their view on sport, we get a broader picture of their affiliation with it. By discussing the uses of the senses as ethnographic ‘instrument’, the role of the researcher and issues related to qualitative analysis, this article offers practical advice on how to use this approach in the field