Observing digital mobilizations in pandemic times

Live streams as research sources

Abstract

The year 2020 was strange for Indigenous movements in Brazil. On-site gatherings were cancelled due to the outbreak of Covid-19. Indigenous movements, in connection with Indigenous media initiatives, aimed at occupying the screens instead. An abundance of live streams popped up on diverse social media platforms. During April 2020, online observations were carried out using an approach inspired by digital ethnography. This article offers a discussion about collecting research data within this changing context. The main aim is to reflect upon online observations as research practice and live streams as sources for scholarly investigation. Additionally, this paper discusses how to think about presence, place and temporality in the research context.