Im|mobile lives in turbulent times: Methods and Practices of Mobilities Research

Im|mobile lives in turbulent times: Methods and Practices of Mobilities Research

July 8th and 9th 2021.  

Im-mobile Lives in Turbulent Times Conference Programme 

Virtual Conference Registration

Given the turbulent geo-political, social and technological times in which we live, continued attention to the role of im/mobilities seems never more important. As a collaboration between the Mobilities Futures Research Network (MFRN) and the Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences at Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, this 1st international inter-disciplinary mobilities research conference provides a meeting ground for the ongoing development of the forms, theories and practices in mobilities research. 

From a starting point that recognises, and values, the breadth of mobilities research, this conference will explore the possibility of intersections across this evolving body of work. Mobilities research encompasses a range of foci from those interested in the exclusions generated by the (in)ability of bodies to move across and within national borders, the movement (and restriction) of information in an unevenly networked society, through to accounts which emphasise the centrality of emotions, materiality and the sensuous-ness of (im)mobility in various aspects of everyday life. Mobilities research is therefore approached by those with varying interests, philosophical orientations and political positions. We hope that this conference will provide a constructive forum for conversations across what might otherwise operate as discrete and dis-connected fields of inquiry.

As a route to both valuing this diversity and igniting ‘inter-mobilities conversations’, the conference is particularly concerned with ways of approaching and researching im/mobile lives. We therefore look to explore the (dis)connections between different ways of thinking about and researching im/mobilities and the potentialities of cross-over, borrowings and hybridization.

We already have an exciting programme planned which includes: a conference introduction from Sven Kesselring (Nürtingen-Geislingen University), a keynote from Maggie O’Neill (University College Cork), a Brazilian Mobilities Panel, the launch of the Handbook of Research Methods and Applications for Mobilities, an Arts and Mobilities Exhibition, a Mobilising (for) Climate Change Roundtable and a closing speech from Stephen Graham (Newcastle University).

Following our successful open call for papers, we also have 85 papers across the two days organised around the following themes:

• Theorising (im)material mobilities
• Im/mobility, migration and borders
• Tourism mobilities
• Sensing im/mobilities
• Health and well-being
• Doing mobilities research in turbulent times
• Creativity and Arts
• Policy mobilities
• Mobilising interdisciplinary practices
• Politics of everyday im/mobilities
• Infrastructures
• Mobile methods
• Transport and design
• Caring and sharing
• Technology and autonomy

Experiment and Participate - Online Exhibition

We are seeking submissions for an online exhibition.

We invite submissions of existing work from any artist or researcher working with the conference themes.

• The exhibition will be in a virtual space online, with three options for submissions:
• Banner Image on the ‘wall’ of the virtual space = 1MB and 435x300px.
• Video as part of a showreel within the virtual space = 1920 x 1080px, no longer than 5 minutes. Link for YouTube, Vimeo or Twitch.
• A link to an external webpage or an online document.

Submit your artworks and a 300-500 word text for the catalogue by Friday May 14th 2021 to j.a.southern@lancaster.ac.uk & k.barry@griffith.edu.au  

Schedule and Keynote Speakers Announcements to Follow: TBC

• Professor Sven Kesselring, Nuertingen-Geislingen University.
• Professor Stephen Graham, Newcastle University, UK.
• Professor Maggie O’Neil, University College Cork.

Organising Committee 

• Sharon Wilson and John Clayton Northumbria (Chair)
• Monika Büscher, Jen Southern, CeMoRe, Lancaster University (Co-Chairs)

Attend Conference 

Registration is now open, fee details below: Deadline for booking 31st May 2021. 

• Full, non-concession fee: £30
• Students: Free
• Keynotes/Partners: Free