Studying Mobilities

This entry critically examines the study of mobilities in social science research. Mobilities encompasses the interdependencies and meanings arising from and attached to the movement of people, objects, images, ideas and information. Contemporary societies—or at least some elements of them—are increasingly on the move and mobile methods are being used in a range of interdisciplinary studies to explore macro and micro entities of mobility and immobility. In this context, the study of mobilities has expanded to include mobilities as both subject and method. This entry discusses a range of leading concepts, practices and projects in the social sciences. It highlights the potential of mobilising methods to make present different aspects of the world through an attentiveness to sensory, material, socio-cultural, historic and textual forms. Mobilising methods encourages researchers to reveal methodological journeys rather than just the results of those journeys. Overall, this entry examines the idea that mobile and immobile entities and methods are not just neutral connectors but live, dynamic actors in making and communicating knowledge.