معرفی
Prof. Dr. Ruth Ayaß is a Professor in the Department of Methods of Empirical Social Research at the Faculty of Sociology, University of Bielefeld. She has held this position since September 2016, following a professorship at the University of Klagenfurt (2004–2016). Her academic work is deeply rooted in qualitative methodologies, particularly conversation analysis, ethnomethodology, and visual sociology. She leads the research group AG Ayaß and contributes to the Methods Laboratory within her department.
Her research focuses on social interaction in public spaces, examining how individuals manage co-presence, use media as social shields, and navigate waiting situations. Her methodological expertise extends to visual and ethnographic analysis, contributing significantly to the understanding of mediated and face-to-face interactions.
The trends in her recent publications reveal a consistent engagement with foundational sociological theory, particularly the work of Harold Garfinkel, alongside empirical studies on disaster photography, waiting practices, and digital writing. Her work bridges classical ethnomethodology with contemporary social phenomena shaped by technology and urban life.
- Editor-in-Chief, Zeitschrift für Soziologie (2010–2013)
- Research Fellow, Center for Interdisciplinary Research (ZiF), Bielefeld (2011)
- Member, Scientific Advisory Board, Finnish Centre of Excellence 'Intersubjectivity in Interaction' (2012–2017)
- Spokesperson, Section 'Methods of Qualitative Social Research', German Sociological Association (2014–2016)
Ruth Ayaß actively supervises students and contributes to academic governance through roles in the Faculty Conference, Commission for Structure, Budget and Personnel, and the Bielefeld Graduate School in History and Sociology. She is involved in curriculum development for advanced methods courses and serves as a module responsible for several key programs. Her academic leadership and methodological rigor have established her as a central figure in German qualitative sociology.
She leads the AG Ayaß research group, which fosters collaborative inquiry into interaction and methodology, and contributes to the Methods Laboratory, supporting methodological training and innovation within the Faculty of Sociology.
