Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book introduces the specific methodology developed from the research, drawing from Actor-Network Theory (ANT) theory and a brand of ethnography designed to focus on practice – praxiography. It presents a number of ideas from ANT, with a focus on the three dimensions of networks, symmetry, and multiple worlds, which are carried through the methodology. The book also highlights some of the tensions around using ANT language, sensitising to relations and effects, and how these were reconciled to the idea of ‘moving’ the data to draw insights, rather than reducing complexity. It speculates as to how this empirical ANT study will help education researchers in the future, both in wider education and specialist areas such as medical education. The book suggests how the current situation with COVID-19 could be better understood by drawing from an ANT perspective.