This is a methods book in which I present a unique, exercise-based approach to conducting more rigorous ethnographic research, primarily by helping individuals improve their skills in direct observation, analysis, and the re-presentation of data. This book is the result of a method and a course that I developed over almost 20 years of teaching direct observation as a series of exercises while observing and designing for the western lowland gorillas who live at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. Written to increase confidence and encourage creativity and innovation, there is free a companion website featuring my remarkable former students’ unique responses to the exercises. Companion website here.

Nippert-Eng, C. (2015). Watching closely: A guide to ethnographic observation. Oxford University Press.

Packed with stories that are funny and sad, familiar and strange, in this book I analyze the myriad arenas where daily privacy battles are fought, lost, and won as we practice the art of selective concealment and disclosure. I explore how we manage our secrets, our phone calls and e-mail, our windows and doors, our food and our garbage, as well as our interactions with family, neighbors, and strangers. These everyday objects and activities show us actively trying place the boundary between what we wish to be private and what others often insist must be public. As stories of privacy violations and anxiety make especially clear, I argue that successfully managing privacy is critical for successfully maintaining our relationships with each other and ourselves.

Nippert-Eng, C. E. (2010). Islands of privacy. University of Chicago Press.

Do you put family photos on your work desk, have home and work keys on the same chain, or keep one all-purpose calendar for listing home and work events? In this book, I explore the intricacies and implications of how we draw the line between home and work. I argue that relationships between the two realms range from those that are highly “integrating” to those that are highly “segmenting,” and that we sculpt the boundary between these realms through everyday objects and actions such as our clothing, wallets, lunches and vacations, and the places and ways in which we engage our family, friends, and co-workers. Commuting habits – or lack thereof -- are also revealing, showing how we make the transition between home and work selves with ritualized behaviors and routines. Through the ways each of us manages time, space, activities, objects, and people, we not only reflect but reinforce lives that are more “integrating” or “segmenting” at any given time.

Nippert-Eng, C. E. (1996). Home and work. University of Chicago Press.

Part of our Young Observers series designed to promote scientific curiosity, a love of close observation, and a focus on what we have in common rather than what is different, this is a picture book featuring stunning photographs of baby gorillas published in board book form, for the earliest of readers.

“An obvious slam-dunk.” ― Kirkus
“Ridiculously cute…. a standout for babies and toddlers.” ― Booklist Online
“The gorillas in this book are adorable!" ―Ingram
“31 Great Board Books of 2017” -- School Library Journal
“2018 Summer Early Literacy Book List” ― New York Public Library

2017. What is Baby Gorilla Doing? By C. Nippert-Eng, J. Dominski and M. Martinez. Henry Holt Books for Young Readers.

This is a middle grade non-fiction book focused on the social structure, design needs, and observation of captive western lowland gorillas. My co-authors are former students from the fall 2009 course SOC 498/598, Exercises in Behavioral Observation, now practicing designers, architects, and social scientists.

“Top 30 books of 2016” ― Booklist (ALA review journal for school and public libraries)
“Highly recommended” ― Kirkus
“Highly recommended” ― School Library Journal
2017 Children’s Choice Award (International Literacy Association) ― selected by 12,500 U.S. school children

2016. Gorillas Up Close. C. Nippert-Eng, author, photographs by John Dominski and Miguel Martinez, with contributions by Frederick Grier, Jim Hornor, Eugene Limb, and Sally Wong Limb. Henry Holt Books for Young Readers.