In this talk, Professor Shawn Sobers explores why Small Anthropology is a powerful and necessary methodology for interdisciplinary research, using his book Black Everyday Lives, Material Culture and Narrative: Tings in de House as a key example. Through this approach, he examines Black British cultural history by studying the family home—room by room, object by object—revealing how personal experiences are deeply intertwined with broader historical, cultural, and political narratives. Drawing from his work as a visual anthropologist, Shawn demonstrates how Small Anthropology foregrounds storytelling, transparency, and sensory knowledge, offering a richer, more nuanced way to engage with material culture. This talk highlights the power of interdisciplinary methods to uncover unearthed histories and challenge dominant narratives, showing how everyday objects can be profound carriers of memory, identity, and resistance.

Shawn is Professor of Cultural Interdisciplinary Practice at University of the West of England, Bristol. He is a filmmaker, photographer and anthropologist, and his work has been published, exhibited and screened nationally and internationally, and has directed and produced documentaries for BBC1, ITV and Channel 4. He has produced projects on a broad range of topics, including youth homelessness, legacy of the region’s trade in enslaved Africans, youth creativity, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and Ethiopian historical connections with the UK. His book Black Everyday Lives, Material Culture and Narrative: Tings in de House was published by Routledge in 2023.

Join us online on YouTube Live, or in the building on Friday 13th June 2025 at 1pm for the talk and to take part in the Q and A discussion afterwards. 

The Pervasive Media Studio is a partnership between the Watershed, University of the West of England and University of Bristol. The lunchtime talks are partly supported by MyWorld, a project led by the University of Bristol to support creative industries in the region. Watershed is supported by Arts Council England.

Address:

Watershed, 1 Canon's Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX

Directions:

The Lunchtime talks take place in the Pervasive Media Studio Event Space. To access the Studio, please go to the Main Watershed Box Office entrance and go upstairs to the Café Bar. Walk across the cafe bar, turn right and walk towards the double doors. Go through into the corridor and walk all the way down until you reach the Studio. A member of staff will sign you in, and check your ticket, if you have booked.

The Studio is wheelchair accessible, and the events space has a hearing loop. The last talk of every month is BSL interpreted. 

For more information on accessing the studio take a look here.

*Please note this is a hybrid event and will be live streamed so please be aware you will be in the live broadcast and recording when watching in the Studio.