CITIES AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
The key question to which the CSJ research cluster seeks answers is how to articulate and promote ways of living in cities that are more socially and ecologically just. As a cluster, we have a reputation for distinctive and cutting-edge work which draws on diverse theoretical perspectives but that also has a clear normative approach to what constitutes a more socially just city. Our work is both historical and contemporary; it is empirically grounded, drawing on action-oriented, engaged and participatory forms of research which aim to create knowledge in collaboration with those inside and outside the University. Our aim is to be politically engaged and policy relevant, and have a real impact on policy, and contemporary social issues and debates at a variety of scales. We believe that the city is an ongoing creation and an unfinished story in which interventions can be made to create more socially and ecologically just urban futures.
The cluster runs the pioneering Master’s Programme in Activism and Social Change, and is involved in editing international journals such as City, Antipode and Acme.
During 2011 Professor John Holloway willl be visiting the Cluster.
Our work spans five main areas:
1. Understanding and challenging the neoliberal city
We are interested in critically evaluating how neoliberal policies have actively reshaped cities over the last few decades, and what progressive responses have emerged
to challenge neoliberal urbanism and create more just cities.
We have particular expertise in issues of territorial governance and regeneration policies at an urban and regional level, devolution, rescaling and contemporary power relations
in cities.
2. Everyday practices, public space and
consumption in the city
We are interested in the significance of consumer cultures in cities and the changing daily experiences of urban life and lifestyles. We have particular expertise in the nightlife and hospitality sectors, food, the internet, the role of public
space in cities, cultural policy, city living, and urban memory and landscape.
3. Cities, climate change and sustainable urban futures
Our focus in this area concerns the significant challenges that cities face in the future in terms of adapting to rapid climate change and energy scarcity. We have particular interests in issues of local food production, sustainable housing and alternative urban futures.
4. Activism and social movements in the city
We have established research interests and expertise in urban social movements and sub-cultures, both in the UK
and internationally. We have expertise in many theoretical traditions ranging from Marxism, and (eco)socialism to anarchism, queer theory and post-structuralism, and have an active interest in ideas of enclosure and commons.
Active areas include co-operativism, Latin American social movements and the Zapatistas, autonomous European movements, international trade unionism, climate change activism, and anti-gentrification struggles.
5. Scholar-activism and participatory action research
Methodologically, the cluster has expertise in engaged research and teaching which connects those inside and outside the university. We are particularly interested in publicly-engaged and participatory forms of action research which is aimed at critically influencing and shaping policy
but also working with social movements and campaigners
to work towards social change.
Latest News
Sara Gonzalez is part of a consortium led by Michael Janoschka from the Autonomous University of Madrid that has just applied to the EU for a staff exchange scheme between UK, Spain and Latin America to study gentrification policies and urban movements against the Neoliberalisation of cities. If awarded it would see staff and postgraduate students from CSJ travelling to Latin America and Latin American colleagues visiting Leeds in the next four years.
Several ‘Cities and Social Justice’ PhD students have had chapters published in a new book of reflections and dialogues on the BBC journalist Paul Mason’s recently published book, ‘Why It’s kicking off Everywhere’ (London: Verso). Thomas Gillespie and Victoria Habermehl’s, ‘On the graduate with no future’, and Andre Pusey and Bertie Russell’s ‘Do the entrepreneuriat dream of electric sheep?’ In Lunghi, A. & Wheeler, S. (eds) (2012) ‘Occupy Everything Reflections on Why It’s Kicking Off Everywhere’. Wivenhoe / New York / Port Watson: Minor Compositions.
Paul Chatterton has had a new paper published, entitled “Demand the Possible: Journeys in changing our world as a public activist scholar”. The paper can be found here.
John Holloway's series of four public lectures at the School of Geography, University of Leeds in 2011 are now available to watch online from here.
Funded by the Leverhulme Trust, Professor John Holloway spent some time as a visiting professor at the School of Geography, University of Leeds in 2011 and was teaching at the MA in Activism and Social Change. He gave four public lectures; the first one in May 2011 and the next 3 as part of a series titled “Rage against the Rule of Money” in November.
Benjamin Vis has been invited to speak at the Centre for Collaborative Heritage Research Network Event: Diasporas and Heritage, on 18 January at the University of Leeds, organised at the School of Music. He will present on: Archaeology and Heritage and the Relevance of Interdisciplinary Research Collaborations. The event starts from 5.00pm. Anyone interested in attending can approach Katie Roche finrad@leeds.ac.uk or Benjamin on B.N.Vis10@leeds.ac.uk.
David Bell's recent paper 'Bikinis and bandages: an itinerary for cosmetic surgery tourism' is to be featured on Radio 4's 'Thinking Allowed', probably this coming Wednesday (although two of David's co-authors will be doing the talking)
Paul Chatterton will be speaking at the Co-operatives Yorkshire and the Humber Conference on January 20 2012. More details can be found here.
Rachael Unsworth provided some points for the Yorkshire Post piece ‘The growing trend to ‘move’ other West Yorkshire cities and towns into Leeds’, published on 13 December. See here.
