Round 1 (30 minutes): The students divide into three groups, each taking a different disciplinary lens:
- Group 1: Business/Marketing Perspective
- Group 2: Cultural Studies/Anthropology Perspective
- Group 3: Urban Studies/Geography Perspective
Task for each group:
- Identify one key research question from your disciplinary perspective
- List 3 specific aspects from the field report that support investigating this question
- Outline potential research methods specific to your discipline
- Identify 2-3 key theories or concepts from your field that could frame the research
- Note what other cases/examples from Berlin could be comparative reference points
Plenary Discussion (20 minutes):
- Each group presents their approach (5 minutes each)
- Class discusses how the different perspectives complement or contradict each other
- Identify potential for interdisciplinary collaboration
Round 2 (25 minutes): The groups mix so each new group has members from all three original perspectives. Task:
- Create an integrated research proposal that combines insights from multiple disciplines
- Identify specific ways the different approaches could strengthen each other
- Develop a timeline for the research
- List potential challenges and how to address them
Final Plenary (15 minutes):
- Groups share their integrated proposals
- Discussion of how different disciplinary approaches can be combined effectively
- Reflection on what was learned about interdisciplinary research design
BUSINESS/MARKETING PERSPECTIVE:
Research Question: How do ethnic restaurants in Berlin strategically balance cultural authenticity and market adaptation to appeal to different customer segments?
Supporting Aspects from Report:
- Strategic use of Pan-African imagery rather than Arabic cultural elements
- French language prominence over Arabic despite being a Moroccan restaurant
- Conscious decision to emphasize certain cultural elements while minimizing others for marketing purposes
Research Methods:
- Customer surveys and interviews
- Competitive analysis of other Moroccan restaurants
- Sales data analysis comparing different menu items
- Semi-structured interviews with restaurant owners
- Analysis of marketing materials and social media presence
Key Theories/Concepts:
- Market positioning theory
- Cultural marketing and branding
- Consumer behavior in ethnic dining
Comparative Cases:
- Der Phönizier (mentioned in another report)
- Turkish restaurants in Kreuzberg adapting to gentrification
- Vietnamese restaurants in Prenzlauer Berg
CULTURAL STUDIES/ANTHROPOLOGY PERSPECTIVE:
Research Question: How do immigrant restaurant owners negotiate their cultural identity presentation in Berlin’s evolving culinary landscape?
Supporting Aspects from Report:
- Owners speaking Darija Arabic but minimizing Arabic cultural displays
- Selection of specific cultural symbols (Tamazigh tapestry, photos of African leaders)
- The tension between “traditional” branding and selective cultural presentation
Research Methods:
- Ethnographic observation
- Life history interviews with restaurant owners
- Visual analysis of restaurant decor
- Participant observation of customer-staff interactions
- Document analysis of menus and promotional materials
Key Theories/Concepts:
- Cultural hybridization
- Strategic essentialism
- Performance of identity
- Self-orientalization
Comparative Cases:
- Lebanese restaurant in Neukölln (from another report)
- Turkish coffeehouses in Kreuzberg
- Arab Street (Sonnenallee) restaurants
URBAN STUDIES/GEOGRAPHY PERSPECTIVE:
Research Question: How do ethnic restaurants contribute to the production of transcultural spaces in Berlin’s changing urban landscape?
Supporting Aspects from Report:
- Location in Friedrichstadt, an office district
- Adaptation to European customer base
- Creation of a hybrid cultural space through design and atmosphere
Research Methods:
- Mapping of ethnic restaurants in the area
- Analysis of neighborhood demographic changes
- Documentation of physical space transformations
- Foot traffic patterns analysis
- Spatial analysis of restaurant distribution
Key Theories/Concepts:
- Urban transformation and gentrification
- Production of space (Lefebvre)
- Transcultural urbanism
- Right to the city
Comparative Cases:
- Restaurant clusters in Kreuzberg
- Transformation of Sonnenallee
- Evolution of Markthalle Neun
Each perspective offers different insights into understanding the complex dynamics at play in this case, from business strategies to cultural identity negotiation to urban transformation processes.
Title: “Negotiating Authenticity: Cultural Restaurants as Sites of Identity, Commerce, and Urban Transformation in Berlin”
- INTEGRATED RESEARCH COMPONENTS:
Core Research Question: How do ethnic restaurants in Berlin navigate the interplay between cultural authenticity, commercial viability, and urban space-making in an evolving metropolitan context?
Multidisciplinary Components:
- Business: Market positioning and economic sustainability strategies
- Cultural Studies: Identity negotiation and cultural representation
- Urban Studies: Spatial dynamics and neighborhood transformation
- STRENGTHENING INTERDISCIPLINARY CONNECTIONS:
Business + Cultural Studies:
- Economic data can help explain cultural presentation choices
- Cultural analysis can inform marketing strategies
- Combined understanding of both customer expectations and cultural authenticity
Cultural Studies + Urban Studies:
- Spatial analysis provides context for cultural expression
- Cultural patterns inform understanding of neighborhood changes
- Combined insight into how space shapes cultural presentation
Urban Studies + Business:
- Location analysis influences business strategies
- Economic data helps explain spatial patterns
- Combined understanding of neighborhood development and market forces
- RESEARCH TIMELINE:
Phase 1 (3 months): Preliminary Research
- Literature review across all disciplines
- Mapping of research sites
- Development of research instruments
- Initial stakeholder contacts
Phase 2 (6 months): Data Collection
- Business data gathering: customer surveys, sales analysis
- Ethnographic fieldwork: observations, interviews
- Spatial analysis: mapping, demographic study
- Cross-disciplinary team meetings for integration
Phase 3 (3 months): Analysis
- Individual disciplinary analysis
- Cross-disciplinary analysis sessions
- Integration of findings
- Preliminary conclusions
Phase 4 (2 months): Integration and Writing
- Synthesis of findings
- Writing of integrated report
- Stakeholder presentations
- Publication preparation
- CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS:
Methodological Challenges:
- Different disciplinary approaches might conflict Solution: Regular cross-disciplinary meetings to align methods and share insights
Language Barriers:
- Multiple languages involved (German, Arabic, French) Solution: Recruit multilingual research assistants, work with cultural mediators
Access Issues:
- Restaurant owners might be hesitant to share business data Solution: Build trust through cultural mediators, ensure confidentiality, offer valuable feedback
Integration Challenges:
- Difficulty merging different types of data Solution: Develop integrated analysis framework early, use mixed methods approach
Time Management:
- Different research components require different timeframes Solution: Create flexible timeline with clear coordination points
Cultural Sensitivity:
- Risk of misinterpreting cultural elements Solution: Include researchers from relevant cultural backgrounds, maintain ongoing dialogue with community members
Data Organization:
- Managing diverse types of data from different disciplines Solution: Create centralized database with clear categorization system
Theoretical Integration:
- Reconciling different disciplinary frameworks Solution: Regular theory workshops to develop integrated conceptual framework