Close-Up Research is an ethnographic research and storytelling agency specialising in lived experience. We spend time with people in their everyday environments to make sense of how they think, feel and behave. Our insights and films help clients design, evaluate and communicate better policies, products and services.
We’ve worked with patients around the world, for clients in the private, public and third sectors. Our projects have explored what it’s like to live with a range of health conditions, including immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), multiple sclerosis (MS), muscular dystrophy, osteoarthritis, conduct disorder, haemophilia, chronic back pain, Niemann-Pick disease, sickle cell disease, cancer, diabetes and mitochondrial disease.
Much of our health research – particularly for pharmaceutical clients – is confidential, but below are some examples we’re able to share.
How do behavioural difficulties affect children and their families? / Impact on Urban Health
This short social media edit comes from an ethnographic study with 18 families in Lambeth and Southwark, exploring the realities of family life when a child experiences behavioural difficulties. Alongside the film, we produced written family portraits, a case study podcast and an insights report with recommendations for better support. You can read the full report here, or watch the full 8-min film here.
What’s it like to recover after a heart attack? / Nuffield Health
This video ethnography case study follows Jonathan’s experience of having a heart attack and rebuilding his life afterwards – exploring his life before the heart attack, his experience of treatment and cardio rehab, the impact on his everyday life, and his hopes and expectations for the future.
HOW DO AGE AND DISABILITY AFFECT PEOPLE’S EXPERIENCES OF WORK? / CENTRE FOR AGEING BETTER
This film follows three older Disabled people, exploring their lives and identities, their experiences of finding and staying in work, and what they think employers and government need to do differently.
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO LIVE WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS? / The MS Society
This video ethnography case study follows the everyday life of someone with MS in Ireland, exploring how the condition affects everything from shopping, cooking and cleaning to travel and parenting.
HOW CAN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE BE IMPROVED FOR ADULTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES AND AUTISM? / Social Care Institute for Excellence
This was a co-production working with adults with learning disabilities and autism, to understand their experiences and translate the resulting insights into a film with actionable recommendations.
What are the health priorities for people living in south London / Guy’s & St Thomas’ Charity
This clip is an example of vox pops in the UK. We visited five locations across Lambeth and Southwark – from a BMX club to a community garden – to hear from local people about the most pressing health issues in their area, why they mattered, and what could be done to help. You can watch the full film here.
How is mobility affected by ageing? / Channel 4
This short film from way back in 2007 is a classic example of traditional ethnographic research using the co-discovery method. Footage was shown back to the participant, whose reflections helped shape the narration of the final film. It was Channel 4’s FourDoc of the Week.
What was it like for older people with health conditions to work during COVID-19? / The Institute for Employment Studies
This summary film draws on longitudinal remote ethnography and video diaries conducted during the first two years of the pandemic.