The Influencer Ethnography Research Lab
“A comprised of an interdisciplinary and international group of social scientists who study the socio-cultural impact of influencers in the Asia Pacific and around the world.”
IERLab
This website and lab’s purpose is to “Produce original research on a wide variety of themes.” specializing in “the methodologies & pedagogies of Influencer research, the digital production and economies of the Influencer industry, and the socio-cultural impacts of Influencers on the subaltern.” They “work closely with stakeholders across the globe. partners range from large companies in the tech industry to NGO groups, grassroots groups, and community organizations.”Working to “inform best policy and practice, and disseminate in research through regular commentary in the media.”
The IRELab was founded by Professer Crystal Abidin, housed in Curtin University. The lab is a “impact-driven and focus on translating our academic research to produce real-world applications.” Professer Abidin works with PHD students on reseach topics and projects. The overall goal is to find how social media creators are impacitng our world and what all goes into social media and influencers.
Crystal Abidin
Crystal is a She is a digital anthropologist and ethnographer of vernacular internet cultures, and is a world-leading expert in the fields of influencer cultures, social media pop cultures, and digital media in the Asia Pacific region. As well as a Professor of Internet Studies and ARC DECRA Fellow at Curtin University. Some of her accomplishments include WA Young Tall Poppy Science Award (2022), The Australian Top 40 Early Career Researchers (2021), ABC TOP 5 Humanities Fellow (2020), Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia (2018), and Pacific Standard 30 Top Thinkers Under 30 (2016).