Abstract
This study explores ‘Assemblage’ thinking as an approach for population geography research. The paper highlights the recent prominence of Assemblage thinking in human geography, before exploring the potential opportunities for engagement by population geographers. In particular we focus on the production of place as co-constituted by the material (space) and the discursive (knowledge, process and practice). Considering the Assemblage practice of ‘Rendering Technical’, we reflect on the role that population geography plays in authorising knowledge and supporting policy. This is investigated through a critical taxonomic analysis of recent Scottish demographic data. It is argued on the one hand that this captures key economic and population characteristics of ‘place’, while on the other hand it offers a limited technical knowledge. We conclude that a reflexive approach to research using Assemblage thinking may challenge the intimate relationship between population geographers and the state.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e2097 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | Population, Space and Place |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Early online date | 2 Nov 2017 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2018 |
Bibliographical note
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThis paper is output from an Economic and Social Research Council Award (Reference 1506438) funded in partnership with Marine Scotland, The Scottish Government. We would like to extend our thanks to both Allan and Anne Findlay for invaluable conversations during the development of this paper. We are also extremely grateful to the Editor and anonymous reviewers for their insightful suggestions in improving our argument throughout the drafts of this paper.
Keywords
- Assemblage
- Emergence
- Coastal Communities
- Geodemographics
- Resilience
