Institutional Ethnography (IE) is an exploratory methodology based on particular conceptions of "the social," and was originally developed by sociologist Dorothy E. Smith. Institutional ethnographic research is usually focusing on people's everyday lives, and more specifically on a specific experience or "activity". However, the research aims to find out how dominant or "governing" ways of thinking and acting shape this experience, as well as how these social forces can be challenged. This means that the research moves into institutional relationships, and that the researcher often includes material texts in the research. Much Norwegian and Nordic institutional-ethnographic research explores how people's everyday lives are shaped by the welfare state.
Institutional ethnography is experiencing an increasing interest, both in Norway, the Nordic countries and internationally, and the members of the research group are active in both Nordic, European and other international networks. The methodology is used not only by sociologists, but also by professionals in other disciplines and professions. The research group is interdisciplinary and has members from various departments and faculties.