Icbay2026
| Icbay2026 | |
|---|---|
| BibType | ARTICLE |
| Key | Icbay2026 |
| Author(s) | Mehmet Ali Icbay |
| Title | Exploring the EMCA Community: Strengths, Challenges, and Opportunities |
| Editor(s) | |
| Tag(s) | EMCA, Ethnomethodology, Conversation analysis, Academic community, Scholarly practictes |
| Publisher | |
| Year | 2026 |
| Language | English |
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| Month | |
| Journal | Symbolic Interaction |
| Volume | 49 |
| Number | 1 |
| Pages | 134-175 |
| URL | Link |
| DOI | 10.1002/symb.70010 |
| ISBN | |
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Abstract
This work explores the professional experiences, challenges, and collective identity of scholars within the Ethnomethodology and Conversation Analysis (EMCA) community. Through the analysis of survey data from 43 participants, semi-structured interviews with 10 scholars, and the examination of relevant community documents, this research uncovers how EMCA practitioners navigate their academic careers, engage with interdisciplinary networks, and confront institutional challenges. The findings reveal significant issues regarding the marginalization and isolation of EMCA scholars within traditional academic settings, particularly given the unusual and unique status of the field. This study also highlights the problem of gatekeeping within the community, which restricts diversity, especially among scholars from underrepresented regions and backgrounds. The integration of document analysis provides a deeper understanding of the historical and structural contexts influencing the community. Despite the challenges of securing stable academic positions and funding, this study finds that the EMCA community remains intellectually vibrant and collegial, with opportunities for increased interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly in applied fields such as computer science, healthcare, and education. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of how institutional practices shape scholarly communities and offers insights into fostering a more inclusive and sustainable academic ecosystem for EMCA scholars by addressing the structural inequalities present in the field.
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