Social geography II: Space and Sociality

By drawing together recent geographical literature on assemblages, infrastructures and topology, this progress report examines how debates on the spatial ontologies and epistemologies of power have evolved in social geography. This report argues that the three forementioned approaches each illuminate certain qualities of the relationship between sociality and space, allowing researchers to advocate for a particular way of seeing and knowing the world. The three approaches are distinctive but may not be mutually exclusive. The report concludes by emphasising the need to consider what might be elided through our choice of spatial vocabularies and reflecting on how spatial theorising can promote social justice.

Automated summary

This progress report examines the evolution of debates on the spatial ontologies and epistemologies of power in social geography by drawing on recent geographical literature on assemblages, infrastructures, and topology. It argues that each of the three approaches mentioned illuminates certain qualities of the relationship between sociality and space, providing researchers with a particular way of seeing and knowing the world. The report concludes by emphasizing the need to consider what might be overlooked through the choice of spatial vocabularies and reflecting on how spatial theorizing can promote social justice.