n recent years there’s been a growing recognition that conservation is as much about humans as about nonhuman species, landscapes, and ecosystems. Ethnographic research methods offer one important way of learning about and working with the many social, political, economic and cultural dimensions of conservation. These methods aim to create a holistic understanding of people’s everyday interactions; their perspectives on important issues, such as land rights, development, conservation and the state; and—where relevant—their previous or current experiences of conservation programmes, projects and practitioners. But what do these methods involve, and when and how can they be used effectively and ethically by conservationists?

Using Ethnographic Research for Social Engagement aims to answer some of these questions. Drawing on our fieldwork experience and research on human-orangutan-conservation interactions in rural Borneo, it offers an introduction to key social concerns in conservation, an overview of the principles of ethnographic research, a guide to some of its key methods and approaches (illustrated with case studies), and tips on analysing and reporting ethnographic findings. While grounded in a specific Southeast Asian context, it contains material that is more broadly relevant to conservationists seeking to understand and engage seriously with the social complexities that shape their work and strategies.