If you are interested in hearing more about the project or are considering participating, please fill out the form below.
I am trying to learn about various anthropological topics related to the diamond industry, which include
- Changes to the industry (geographic and demographic, internet, third party verification, legal and NGO impacts for example)
- How a more diverse and globalized trade has impacted the NYC Diamond District and business
- The meaning of trust in today’s Diamond Industry
People who have participated have reported it enjoyable, as if they were “going down memory lane.” Typically the interviews take about an hour and can be online (via Microsoft Teams) or in person.
HISTORY
In September 2020, I started a research project on the diamond industry in New York. It began with secondary (library) research, the application for a six month sabbatical from teaching responsibilities and progressed from there.
Interviews began in March 2022. They are open ended, in person or online, conversations with people involved in the diamond district and industry. These are qualitative or ethnographic interviews (learn more here) that can be scheduled whenever a participant is willing.
PAPERWORK
In order to participate, you should review and sign the informed consent document (here).
As a professor with the SUNY system, I have ethical obligations to research participants. These are covered by the Institutional Review Board (learn more here) of the college. They require many things of me to keep the participants in the project safe from harm. This includes (but is not limited to) ensuring participants’ privacy and the confidentiality of any information they provide. Also, my husband (Matthew Tratner) works in the industry, so I understand the importance of “keeping things close to the chest” so all people interviewed are given pseudonyms in my notes and records.